Hoekstra says no ‘significant progress’ in 14 months of trade negotiations, but U.S. to keep talking

Hoekstra says no ‘significant progress’ in 14 months of trade negotiations, but U.S. to keep talking

The U.S. envoy to Canada says 14 months of trade talk between Canada and the Trump administration has resolved few issues, but insists the Americans will keep talking in the hopes of striking an agreement on the future of CUSMA, as well as settling other issues.

U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra made the remarks on CBC’s Ottawa Morning, where he was asked by host Rebecca Zandbergen how far apart he believes Canada and the United States are on settling the trade irritants that are frustrating a renewal of CUSMA.

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CHARLEBOIS: What we learned from our exclusive interview with the U.S. ambassador to Canada

CHARLEBOIS: What we learned from our exclusive interview with the U.S. ambassador to Canada

Canadians have heard plenty about the Gordie Howe International Bridge — but largely from one perspective. Much of the public debate has focused on allegations that the owner of the Ambassador Bridge, a prominent Republican donor, has been lobbying the White House to delay the bridge’s opening in order to protect his commercial interests. That narrative has dominated headlines in Canada. After speaking with U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra on The Food Professor Podcast, however, one thing became clear: Washington believes there is much more to the story.

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Trump isn’t extending CUSMA trade deal, so what happens now?

Trump isn’t extending CUSMA trade deal, so what happens now?

The Trump administration surprised no one with its long-expected announcement Wednesday that the U.S. would not join Canada and Mexico in extending the free trade deal between the three countries.

Where things go from here, however, with renegotiating the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) is anyone’s guess.

One thing is certain: the deal remains in effect while the negotiations happen, as it doesn’t expire for another 10 years.

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U.S. declines to extend CUSMA trade deal with Canada, Mexico

U.S. declines to extend CUSMA trade deal with Canada, Mexico

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration is opting not to extend its trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, triggering what are expected to be tough negotiations on amending the deal.

The announcement by U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer followed a virtual meeting on Wednesday with Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Mexico’s economy secretary, Marcelo Ebrard.

The U.S. announcement does not kill CUSMA, which does not expire until 2036.

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Canada arrives at a pivotal day for free trade with the U.S. and Mexico

Canada arrives at a pivotal day for free trade with the U.S. and Mexico

OTTAWA — Like the cool corner dudes, the three Canada-U.S.-Mexico trading partners are acting nonchalant, urging the rest of us to chill ahead of Wednesday’s deadline that will set one of the world’s largest trading blocs on a new economic path — wherever that may lead.

Nothing to see here, Prime Minister Mark Carney effectively said on Tuesday about a July 1 virtual meeting on the trade deal’s renewal.

“We’re expecting a constructive exchange,” Carney shrugged to reporters in the northern Inuit community of Kuujuaq. “I wouldn’t expect any drama tomorrow,” he added, quipping, “I’m not looking for my pen.”

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Canada paid for the Gordie Howe bridge but U.S. Senate hopeful says it ‘was not a great deal for us’

Canada paid for the Gordie Howe bridge but U.S. Senate hopeful says it ‘was not a great deal for us’

The still-shuttered Gordie Howe International Bridge between Windsor, Ont., and Detroit is continuing to serve as a flashpoint in the U.S. elections, with a Republican Senatorial candidate saying only he can get the bridge to open, while also claiming “it was not a great deal for us” and that “we’ll never see any revenue from that thing.”

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U.S. declaration to exit USMCA to start a decade-long countdown for the pact

U.S. declaration to exit USMCA to start a decade-long countdown for the pact

WASHINGTON, June 30 (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration is expected to formally declare on Wednesday that it will not extend the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement on trade, starting a decade-long clock to wind down the 32-year-old North American free trade zone as the three ‌countries haggle over proposed changes.

That declaration will kick off a six-year review session, part of a “sunset clause” negotiated by President Donald Trump’s first ‌administration. However, it will do little to alter contentious negotiations over the pact’s future, including sweeping demands to boost U.S. and regional content in North American automotive production and trade protections to block ​Chinese goods from benefiting from USMCA.

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A key CUSMA ‘checkpoint’ is coming. Businesses and unions are balancing anxiety and hope

A key CUSMA ‘checkpoint’ is coming. Businesses and unions are balancing anxiety and hope

Businesses and labour groups are watching with a mix of anxiety and hope as a key trade moment arrives on Wednesday, as Premier Doug Ford sets off on his third trip in less than a month to meet with U.S. lawmakers.

The Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade officially comes up for review on July 1 after an 18-month trade war sparked by U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

Groups representing both large and small Canadian businesses and one of the country’s most prominent labour unions say they’ll be watching the official opening of the review on Wednesday.

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Who is the billionaire donor family said to be behind Trump’s delay in opening Gordie Howe bridge?

Who is the billionaire donor family said to be behind Trump’s delay in opening Gordie Howe bridge?

The Detroit-based trucking family that has owned and operated the Ambassador Bridge between Detroit and Windsor since the 1970s appears to have found powerful backing for their business interests.

The billionaire head of that family is Matthew Moroun. He made a million-dollar campaign donation to MAGA Inc. back in January, according to campaign finance reports. In early February, Trump pushed back on the opening of the bridge, saying on Feb. 9 that he would block it.

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The Gordie Howe bridge is still closed and Trump won’t open it. What that says about “Fortress North America”

The Gordie Howe bridge is still closed and Trump won’t open it. What that says about “Fortress North America”

Donald Trump has made the Gordie Howe International Bridge into a big, beautiful monument to the futility of trying to jointly advance the economic interests of his country and ours.

There are so many reasons for Canadians to be furious about Trump blocking the bridge’s opening: the pain to industries that need a faster crossing at the Windsor-Detroit border, the trucks forced to continue thundering through urban communities, the complete contempt for the fact that we financed the whole thing.

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CHARLEBOIS: You can’t negotiate CUSMA with contradictions and false narratives

CHARLEBOIS: You can’t negotiate CUSMA with contradictions and false narratives

On July 1, Canada, the United States and Mexico begin the first formal review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). For most Canadians, it may seem like another bureaucratic milestone. For the agri-food sector, however, it could shape investment, food prices and trade flows for years to come.

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Carney says CUSMA breakthrough will ultimately happen between him and Trump

Carney says CUSMA breakthrough will ultimately happen between him and Trump

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney said a deal on CUSMA will ultimately happen between him and U.S. President Donald Trump, despite teams of negotiators on both sides working through trade issues.

“Ultimately… a breakthrough, if you will, on this will…be at that level,” Carney told reporters on Thursday, in answer to a question about whether a deal will ultimately be secured at the leadership level of both countries.

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Canada won’t drop fees on big American streaming services

Canada won’t drop fees on big American streaming services

OTTAWA — Broadcasters and online streaming giants will still have to pay a fee to support Canadian media production despite the Carney government’s declaration it would reverse course on the so-called “Netflix tax,” the Star has learned.

Amid ongoing Canada-U.S. trade tensions, Prime Minister Mark Carney said three weeks ago his government would order Canada’s broadcast regulator to review its decision this spring to require major broadcasters and online streaming giants to pay 15 per cent, up from five per cent, of their Canadian revenues toward supporting Canadian content production.

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If Canada Auto can’t survive, let it fade away. Courting China is not the solution

If Canada Auto can’t survive, let it fade away. Courting China is not the solution

Prime Minister Mark Carney was caught on a hot mic speaking with U.S. President Donald Trump on June 16 justifying Chinese EV imports. “Less than 3 per cent of our market, 49,000 cars,” Mr. Carney said on the sidelines of the G7 meeting in France. “It’s a cap, we capped, a hard line … I thought you’d actually like that.”

Mr. Trump does like it, Mr. Carney told reporters later.

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