Canadian ambassador does not see Trump’s steel and aluminium tariffs to be lifted soon

Canada's Ambassador to the United States David MacNaughton said on Thursday that there is no negotiation going on between the US and Canada over U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium. He also said that parliament is not likely to approve the USMCA if Trump administration’s tariffs on Canadian aluminium and steel remain in place. Speaking at a U.S. Chamber of Commerce event in Washington, he said that "conversations" have consisted simply of the two countries restating their views.

Canada's current Parliament breaks in June for the federal election expected in October. He said that the "conversations" have consisted simply of the two countries reiterating their views.

"We're not in active negotiations at the present moment, but we need to get into active negotiations if we're going to be able to resolve this," he said.

He said that the negotiations are taking more time than expected.

If the tariffs are not removed without any quota before June, Canada might not approve the new NAFTA before early 2020, which is the primary season for U.S. election.  MacNaughton said it was unlikely for Justin Trudeau to bring Parliament back from the June break for a ratification vote before the election.