Canada sells as many goods to the USA as they buy, no deficit. But not including the oil exported from Alberta to Texas, and sold 10% under the market price, as a commercial gesture. And not including in reverse the services of the American GAFA+, which Canada has accepted not to tax. So far.
In the recent commercial negotiations, someone in the USA delegation asked, in the last few days, that they be given the right to oversee and veto any deal between Canada and some other countries (no doubt China in all thoughts). Canada has refused this attack on their independence, rightly in my opinion. Mainly coming after repeated attacks from the actual president of the USA calling Canada its 51th state, or calling the prime minister of Canada a governor... The potential rivality between some key American government members to show their President whom is a better negotiator will not help in my opinion a business constructive steady dialog.
Economical exchanges between the two countries habe been intertwined for dozens of years, with the business companies deciding to maufacture here or there, not the governments. Trying to decouple them now is hurting both countries. Canada has a border with the USA, and should not treated as any other foreign country. Same said for Mexico.
As for the claims of the actual President of the USA that the USA do not need Canada products... it is laughable and a poor negotiating claim. Critical minerals, Water, Energy like oil or electricity, and Cement are just some examples.
First of all, the USA must abandon their claim for overseeing any aspect of the foreign policy of Canada.
As for the claims from the USA... Canada could allow USA dairy products like cheese to enter without any tariff, or a nominative 10%? The milk quotas could be reviewed, and the 300% maximum tariff (never applied) could be lowered to 100%? As for Fentanyl drugs, it was never an issue (over 90% coming from the Mexico border). Cars, wood, aluminium and steel need to be reviewed in light of the existing business structure, listening to the businesses choices and not penalising the buyers on both sides of the border. New production facilites cannot surge in a few months (make it 2 to 5 years), and business presidents need stable environment to invest. Same for the Stock exchange...
As for the other subjects, let Canada and USA spell out on all their export goods which country they were made in. And let the consumers choose... and the governments concentrate on Asian exports (China and South Korea), with their very low cost of manpower, and at times the support of their governments.
FRANCAIS (a venir)
