Canada ‘should fight’ as US trade deadline looms, Manitoba premier says
One of Canada's provincial leaders has criticised a prospective trade deal with the US and pushed his country to hold out for favourable terms, showing Prime Minister Mark Carney faces a tough battle in getting buy-in on the agreement hours away from a US-set deadline.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has criticized the potential US trade deal, urging Canada to hold out for better terms as the deadline for negotiations with the United States approaches. The US has set a deadline for Friday night to finalize the deal or face the implementation of additional tariffs on a wide range of Canadian goods. Kinew emphasized that Canada "should fight" and not rush to make concessions.
US President Donald Trump reported that the deal is "moving along," but did not confirm whether a definitive agreement had been reached. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and US Trade Representative Jamie Greer were expected to continue negotiations on Friday morning. LeBlanc indicated that the two sides were "very close" to an agreement.
Negotiations have focused on allowing American alcohol sales in Canada, reducing tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum, and removing retaliatory tariffs on US goods. However, Premier Kinew expressed doubts about trusting President Trump and questioned why Canada would give up its leverage by restoring US alcohol sales. Other Canadian premiers, including Quebec Premier Christine Frechette and Ontario Premier Doug Ford, have yet to comment on the potential deal.
Meanwhile, some residents in affected industries have expressed concerns about the proposed tariffs on their sectors, with the mayor of an Ontario city home to a large steel producer warning that a deal with 25% tariffs would not be celebrated.
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