There is mixed reaction about a new trade deal between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted on Monday that the new deal is going to benefit Canadians across the country by strengthening the middle class and creating new jobs and opportunities.
“The agreement-in-principle we reached today is good for Canada, good for Canadian businesses, and most importantly, good for Canadian workers and their families," said Trudeau. "When this improved agreement is implemented, North American trade will be preserved and modernized for the 21st century, just as we set out to do.”
Trudeau said Canada has successfully preserved key elements of the original North American Free Trade Agreement while building on the agreement to expand opportunity and improve protections for workers across North America. The prime minister said the new agreement offers crucial predictability and stability for Canadian businesses, investors, traders, workers, and innovators.
However, the NDP said while auto tariffs are off the table, the Liberals have failed to get any assurance that the U.S. will lift aluminum and steel tariffs that impact the auto sector more than any other. The New Democrats said these tariffs hurt workers across Canada and could result in at least 6,000 jobs losses.
“Many Canadians were worried we wouldn't get a deal, but today, many of the same Canadians are worried about what we have given up to get this deal," said NDP International Trade Critic Tracey Ramsey. "This trade deal is nothing like what the Liberals promised at the beginning of negotiations. Canadians were looking for a better deal, and instead, we seem to be getting a new name, but a worse deal."
The NDP added that the Liberals began negotiations a year ago promising to defend dairy, poultry and egg farmers and to bring in new progressive measures such as a gender chapter, a chapter on the rights of Indigenous peoples and stronger environmental protections but instead, none of those new chapters are included. Ramsey said the Liberals have made major concessions that will restrict Canadians’ access to locally produced food and put food safety at risk. The NDP also calls the deal bad for individual Canadians because they will be paying more for medication.
Unifor National President Jerry Dias said that the new trade deal achieves many key objectives relating to the auto sector.
"I'm absolutely thrilled that we were able to put into place a format that will lead to continued investment in Canada but more importantly getting rid of the 25 per cent auto tariff that the Trump administration has been threatening for a quite a while," he said.
Dias said the new trade deal solidifies the auto footprint and ensures that jobs don't continue to bleed and go to Mexico.
