U.S. President Donald Trump is again saying the American economy does not need anything from Canada and he is "not looking to renew" the continental trade pact.
Reporters asked Trump today what he expects from Ottawa during the review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade, known in Canada as CUSMA.
The deal faces a mandatory review and a July 1 deadline for renewal, and Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc travelled to Washington last week to meet with his American counterpart.
Trump complained today about the trade deficit the U.S. has with Canada — which is caused by Canadian energy exports — and claimed the U.S. doesn't need Canadian or Mexican cars, lumber or energy.
He repeated his claim that the previous NAFTA deal was "the worst trade deal ever made" and said the U.S. does better economically when it is autonomous.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said last week Washington has "technical issues" with Mexico and 30 trade issues with Canada of "varying technicality."
Picture Courtesy: AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson
