Oct 19 2018 — Katie Simpson — CBC — A prominent Canadian steel executive told MPs this week that Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland’s “ego” is getting in the way of ending American tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum. Barry Zekelman, the chairman and CEO of Zekelman Industries, delivered a scathing assessment Thursday of how the Liberal government is handling the tariff fight with […]
Oct 10 2018 — Katie Simpson — CBC — Inside an upscale semi-detached home, in the heart of one of Toronto’s most desirable neighbourhoods, two unlikely friends sat down for dinner. After thirteen months of bitter trade talks, complete with shouting outbursts and blunt exchanges, Canada’s foreign affairs minister invited her U.S. counterpart to a celebratory meal at her home on Tuesday evening. Chrystia […]
Sep 20 2018 — Katie Simpson — CBC — The window for Canada and the U.S. to land a NAFTA breakthrough this week is getting smaller, as officials sit down in Washington, D.C., today for what are expected to be the final high-level meetings this week. Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland, who is leading the Canadian delegation, is supposed to be unavailable Friday for […]
Sep 17 2018 — Katie Simpson — CBC — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is about to become the target of sharp criticism at home over his government’s handling of NAFTA negotiations. The Conservatives say they are “frustrated” with the way the Liberals have managed the talks to date and will be more vocal in highlighting their concerns going forward. “You’re going to hear the […]
Sep 14 2018 — Katie Simpson — CBC — In the face of mounting pressure to wrap up NAFTA negotiations by the end of the month, a senior source suggests Canada is comfortable with missing that deadline. The source who spoke to CBC News on background, due to the sensitivity of the talks, said the external political pressure “is not a good enough reason,” […]
Aug 10 2018 — Katie Simpson — CBC — One week into the Canada-Saudi Arabia spat, and there has been very little high-profile public support for the Canadian position. Spokespeople from countries considered Canada’s closest allies offered bluntly neutral comments when pressed on the diplomatic dispute.
Aug 7 2018 — Katie Simpson — CBC — Canada’s ambassador to Washington will be in Ottawa Wednesday for a series of high level discussions with Canadian officials to prepare for the resumption of NAFTA negotiations. David MacNaughton is expected to sit down with members of the Prime Minister’s Office — including Chief of Staff Katie Telford — and trade officials to discuss strategy […]
Jul 10 2018 — Katie Simpson — CBC — China is keen to launch formal free trade talks with Canada, but its envoy to Ottawa suggests that Canada’s own allies could be souring the relationship. During an hour-long interview with CBC News conducted Monday through an independent Mandarin translator, China’s ambassador to Canada accused the United States and Australia of smearing China’s reputation. “I […]
Jun 22 2018 — Katie Simpson — CBC — One of Donald Trump’s protectionist “America first” policies is partly to blame for making home ownership too costly for more than one million Americans. According to the U.S.-based National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), American tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber have caused housing prices in the United States to jump by an average of $9,000 […]
Jun 13 2018 — Katie Simpson — CBC — Canada’s foreign affairs minister may attract a bigger crowd than she’s used to during her two-day trip to Washington. Today marks the first visit by a high-profile minister to the United States since President Donald Trump launched his blistering attacks against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Canadians at large. Chrystia Freeland has a series of […]
Jun 11 2018 — Katie Simpson — CBC — One senior government official says Trump is ‘playing with fire.’ Senior government officials are quietly drawing up a list of ways for Canada to retaliate against the United States if it’s hit with even more tariffs by its closest ally. Sources tell CBC News that Ottawa is preparing for a “worst case scenario”: the Trump […]
May 11 2018 — Katie Simpson — CBC — The Trump administration could have a new fight on its hands if it tries to rush a NAFTA deal through Congress this spring. Two Democrats who sit on the influential trade sub-committee are urging negotiators to focus on getting a good deal rather than a quick deal. “The worst mistakes are made when you let […]
May 7 2018 — Katie Simpson — CBC — Innovation and forward thinking are points of pride for Cavalier Tool & Manufacturing Ltd. For more than 40 years, the Windsor, Ont., company has been at the forefront of plastic mould production, selling their products to a wide range of industries, including the auto sector. But planning ahead is becoming more of a challenge, because […]
May 6 2018 — Katie Simpson — CBC — NAFTA negotiators are nearing the end of the runway. Observers tracking the ups and downs of these intense trade talks say that if Canada, the United States and Mexico can’t get something on paper over the next few weeks, negotiations could easily drag on into 2019.
Apr 25 2018 — Katie Simpson — CBC — Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland and her American counterpart in the NAFTA talks had a “fairly forceful” exchange of views Tuesday over the American side’s demand for a sunset clause, a source tells CBC News. A senior source with direct knowledge of the situation said tensions emerged when Freeland and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer […]