This Week in Canadian Politics 2018-06-03

by | June 3, 2018

 

By Scott Douglas Jacobsen

“Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the U.S. administration’s decision to place tariffs on Canadian aluminum and steel citing national security issues is an insult.

Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday, Trudeau admitted he’s struggling to come to terms with President Donald Trump’s use of Section 232 to slap 25 per cent duties on steel and 10 per cent on aluminum.

“The idea that we are somehow a national security threat to the United States is quite frankly insulting and unacceptable.”

Trudeau said he has no idea what Trump wants from Canada, and that a year ago the president told him it would be a poor decision to include Canada in any action under Section 232’s national security rationale.

Tariffs will hurt jobs and prosperity on both sides of the border, he added — and he wants Americans to understand that.”

Source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/u-s-tariffs-canada-insulting-trudeau-1.4689819.

“There are nine new political parties registered in Ontario and at least one pundit says the number is a sure sign of an “anti-incumbent” election.

All of the new parties are small. Some are focused on one issue. Others take positions on a broad range of issues. Still others want a different approach to governing.

The nine entrants bring the total number of parties in the election to 28.

Many leaders of the new parties told CBC Toronto they have launched the parties because they believe voters are not being heard.”

Source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/fringe-parties-ontario-election-increase-1.4683906.

“Trade actions like the ones taken by the Trump administration this week are intended to inflict pain, and the steel and aluminum tariffs levied by the Trump administration are unwelcome developments for both industries in Canada.

But the harm will fall disproportionately on producers of steel, rather than aluminum — and not only because the tariff on steel (25 per cent) is higher than the one on aluminum (10 per cent).

The United States is in a much weaker position to hurt Canadian aluminum producers than it is to punish Canadian steelmakers. Indeed, the likely reason for the lower tariff on aluminum is that the Trump administration realizes it’s American consumers, not Canadian producers, who will end up paying for it.

In fact, the top U.S. aluminum industry consultant says the tariff has, so far, actually enriched Canadian aluminum producers.”

Source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadian-aluminum-shows-its-mettle-in-face-of-trump-s-tariff-1.4686655.

“A Gatineau, Que. doctor says Venezuelans caught in a deepening political and economic crisis at home are being unfairly being denied travel visas to Canada.

Gabriela Prada said she hoped her sister and mother could visit to attend her daughter’s graduation, but their visa applications were turned down. A letter explaining the rationale for her sister’s refusal cited family ties to Canada and turmoil in her home country.

“Given the deteriorating social, economic and political situations in Venezuela, I am not satisfied that you are a bona fide visitor who will depart Canada by the end of any authorized stay,” the letter reads.

Prada said that decision is inappropriate and runs counter to Canada’s foreign policy position that joins other countries in condemning the escalating humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.

“It is good for Canada to endorse other countries, but at the same time, it discriminates (against) Venezuelans’ applications to come to Canada. The policies do not seem in line to me,” she said.”

Source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/venezuela-visa-canada-hussen-1.4685689.

“Canada is countering the United States’ move to slap punishing tariffs on steel and aluminum imports by imposing dollar-for-dollar tariffs of its own on everything from steel products to maple syrup.

Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said Canada is hitting back with duties of up to $16.6 billion on some steel and aluminum products and other goods from the U.S. — including beer kegs, whisky, toilet paper and “hair lacquers.”

She and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the announcement at a press conference hours after U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross confirmed the United States is following through on its threat to impose tariffs of 25 per cent on imported steel and 10 per cent on imported aluminum, citing national security interests.

“This is the strongest trade action Canada has taken in the post-war era. This is a very strong response, it is a proportionate response, it is perfectly reciprocal,” Freeland told reporters.”

Source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trump-steel-deadline-1.4685242.

Scott Douglas Jacobsen is the Founder of In-Sight: Independent Interview-Based Journal and In-Sight Publishing. He authored/co-authored some e-books, free or low-cost. If you want to contact Scott: Scott.D.Jacobsen@Gmail.com.

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