It appears that someone needs to sit down and remind someone that the “art of the deal” is only a work of art if it works.
U.S. President Donald Trump has demanded that the Canadian side make concessions before we get to the negotiating table to discuss the renewal or restructuring of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement known (on this side of the border) as CUSMA.
Reports say the American side has been asking for us to give things back before we even sit down, including putting American liquor back on the shelf at Canadian stores.
In response, Prime Minister Mark Carney says we are ready to enter into detailed negotiations should the opportunity arise, but we may just wait things out for now.
As his stellar results in the middle east are underlying, I think it’s time that someone remind Trump that negotiating is different than simply dictating terms.
His endless series of false statements about the Strait of Hormuz reopening “never to close again” were proven false in about 24 hours, and his frequent shouts about victory ring hollow while the conflict is ongoing.
At the trade table, it has also been more about bluster than progress, and time in both cases is not on his side.
With economic pressures increasing and the mid-terms looming in the fall, more countries are choosing to wait rather than rush to give Trump a win. After all, TACO Tuesday is only ever a few days away.
I’m Paul martin and that’s what I see looking Beyond the Headlines.
