Canada's Ambassador to the US on Tariffs, Trade, and the Bilateral Relationship

Canada-US Trade Relationship

• 🇺🇸🇨🇦 Canada and the United States are 99% tariff-free under the USMCA agreement negotiated by President Trump.
• 💡 Tariffs exist in specific agricultural sectors, like dairy, to protect small family farms in both countries.
• 📊 Last year, the US sold three times as much dairy product to Canada as Canada sold to the US, making Canada a significant customer.

New Leadership and Political Climate

• 🇨🇦 Kirsten Hillman, Canada's Ambassador to the US, met with the newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney.
• 🗣️ Carney secured the Liberal Party leadership with 86% of the vote and has stated his government will maintain tariffs until the US shows respect.
• 🤝 Hillman emphasizes that good relationships between leaders are primary and that Carney will work to ensure the best possible relationship with President Trump.

Addressing Trade Imbalances and Perceptions

• 🧐 The US administration claims Canada's tariffs are higher, particularly in dairy (up to 200%), and seeks a better deal.
• 📈 Hillman counters that Canada is the US's number one customer and that the US has a trade surplus with Canada in all manufactured goods.
• ⛽ Canada provides affordable, reliable energy to the US, which helps lower gas prices and fuels US industry, with refineries selling refined products at a higher price globally.
• ✅ Hillman advocates for discussing trade issues based on facts and the reality of the bilateral relationship.