Council on Canada-US Relations | Jean Charest will support the Trudeau government in the face of Trump’s threats

Council on Canada-US Relations | Jean Charest will support the Trudeau government in the face of Trump’s threats
Council on Canada-US Relations | Jean Charest will support the Trudeau government in the face of Trump’s threats

(Ottawa) A few days before Donald Trump’s return to power, who threatens to impose 25% tariffs on all Canadian products, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is setting up a Council on Canadian-American Relations to support his government to weather the economic storm looming on the horizon.


Posted at 11:38 a.m.

The former Prime Minister of Quebec, Jean Charest, is part of this group made up of around twenty Canadians with many years of experience in the field of business, politics and the union world, among other things.

Two other former prime ministers – Rachel Notley of Alberta and Stephen McNeil of Nova Scotia – are also part of it, as are former Canadian ambassador David MacNaughton and Steve Verheul, the former negotiator of the Canada during the negotiations that modernized the North American Free Trade Agreement, now known as the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), during Donald Trump’s first presidency.

Canada’s current ambassador to the United States, Kirsten Hillman, is also part of the group, as is the president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association of Canada, Flavio Volpe.

“Canada and the United States enjoy the most successful bilateral relationship in the world: they are the closest friends, steadfast allies and valued partners,” said the office of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a press release. .

“Faced with threats of tariffs brandished by the new American administration, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today launched the Council on Canada-American Relations. Council members, who are leaders in business, innovation and policy, will use their experience to support the Prime Minister and Cabinet at this crucial time for Canada’s relations and the United States,” added the Prime Minister’s Office.

This announcement comes the day after the meeting between Justin Trudeau and his provincial and territorial counterparts to prepare the Canadian response to the customs tariffs mentioned by Donald Trump.

“Everything is on the table,” Mr. Trudeau said at a press conference.

Canada is therefore preparing its arsenal in anticipation of a tariff war with the United States – a trade conflict that could plunge the country into a recession and result in the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs.

While it is too early to reveal the list of American products that could be subject to retaliatory measures, the vast majority of provincial premiers are now rallying around the idea that energy will be Canada’s trump card for force Donald Trump to put away his threat.

Suspending energy exports such as electricity, oil and natural gas and critical minerals are now among the options.

The only dissent came from Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who refused to sign the final communiqué issued by the federal government and the Council of the Federation following the meeting. Mme Smith, who met Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago this weekend, also participated in the meeting virtually from Panama.

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