Canada is FUBAR. No-one quite knows how FUBAR Canada is, because no-one has followed the brilliant Wolverine crew closely enough to spot the strategy.
At the strategic direction of President Trump; and it is a really brilliant workaround strategy; the U.S. and Mexican teams are approaching the current NAFTA negotiations from a position of bilateral trade. Trade watchers, Wall Street experts, financial pundits and the entire media apparatus are missing what Team USA are doing right in front of their faces…. they’ve obviously never followed or studied Trump’s out of the box problem solving when it comes to complex deals.
I won’t rehash the NAFTA flaws; familiar CTH readers know them well. However, the bottom line is NAFTA is NOT, repeat N.O.T being renegotiated. I was going to remain silent, but I think it’s safe, Lighthizer is close enough to a deal to explain what’s happening.
Ah that dumb site again, why not just link Alex Jones already?
“Chinese cars could be trans-shipped into Mexico and/or Canada for delivery under NAFTA to the U.S. market. The only way to block this issue is to apply auto tariffs to Mexico and Canada. This is currently the reason why Canada and Mexico are facing steel and aluminum tariffs.”
This is completely 100% false. In order for goods to qualify under NAFTA preference they need to be *manufactured* in one of the three countries. Simply shipping an item to Canada or Mexico doesn’t suddenly make it NAFTA exempt.
Qualifcations: I deal with commercial invoices/NAFTA “certificate of origin” all the time. I’m a commercial truck driver and have crossed the border over 1000 times. Here’s the link for a NAFTA COO:
https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/assets/documents/2017-Apr/CBP%20Form%20434.pdf
For a site that claims to be the expert site on NAFTA, the conservative failhouse completely whiffed on this one!
It’s too funny.
Allan, there is great potential that you are a bootlegger as well as a bootlicker.
Those bits of paper in no way guarantee the origin of manufacture especially if signed by union members.
Actually you’re a mule either way, even if what you hall is legit.
Chances are good you’ll soon be out of work if the current Canadian leadership continues on its self ruinous course.
You’re assuming CBP workers are a bunch of dupes.
If I’m out of work, it is strictly because of the moron in the seat in the whitehouse. This is why I have not liked him from day #1. His painting of NAFTA as a problem is completely false, and his “fixes” are laughable at best.
Oh it’s a problem. Maybe not for Canada.
But then that’s what America first is about.
Trump gave Canada its chance so… can’t blame him for Trudeau’s late withdrawal.
Personally I’d rather put the tighter screws to Mexico, but Trudeau has been quite the unctuous little squid. Your job is more jeopardized by Trudeau’s team ineptitude than actual fair trade.
NAFTA as it is currently constructed is not a problem for the average American worker. Period.
Allan, please let us know when you get laid off, so we can all enjoy a steaming hot cup of schadenfreude.
The country of origin is often taken to mean the country of assembly
None of this is relevant. Fact is, NAFTA negotiations have been suspended indefinitely, as Verheul admitted in June. The Trump administration has made no secret of its distaste for multilateral trade deals.
Fact is, with US making a bilateral with Mexico, Canada’s negotiating position for a bilateral with the US will be weaker still.
The entire premise of re-negotiating NAFTA is irrelevant and illogical. NAFTA didn’t lead to manufacturing job losses. If there is a NAFTA partner that has been dishonest, it is the USA.
Also not relevant. It’ s happening regardless of whether or not you think it irrelevant and illogical. And the Canadian government is dealing with it badly.
In what way? Please be specific.
Allan, Trump insists on renegotiating NAFTA regardless of whether we like it or not. He insists on changing a number of items to our disadvantage, whether we like it or not.
Our attempts at lobbying the US by ignoring the administration and concentrating on Congress, various departments and lobby organizations have been precisely what Trump labelled “weak and dishonest”.
All of these are the facts on the ground, and Canadians whining about them won’t change them.
Allan, what happens when Canadian auto manufacturers import parts from China, but assemble them in Canada?
Why not read what NAFTA says about it?
Wrong again.
1) it’s very difficult to identify country of origin for products moving through Canada
2) the US has long had much stricter requirements than Canada for determining country of origin
3) Canada recently acted to align its requiremts with the USA, and hired 40 more customs officers to investigate complaints
https://www.ghy.com/trade-compliance/canadas-new-trade-enforcement-measures-regarding-steel-and-aluminum-product/
Time and time again you demonstrate that you have no idea what you’re talking about. In fact, you seem to have some personality defect where you’re convinced that the most mundane details of your personal life are the keys to understanding complex problems across the universe. For example, why on earth would you assume that all goods are identified by country of origin simply because you have held a piece of paper that says certificate of origin? Why? It’s weird.
CBP officers are very well trained to spot fakes, I’ve seen it happen. Notice in the link I posted the tax identifiers. These are IRS numbers for the producer, exporter, and importer. You can’t just make up some two bit company to forge a document and not get flagged. It doesn’t happen that way. Steel and aluminum is another layer, they know who produces what from where. You can’t import steel or aluminum without a mill cert. If this was a systemic problem we would be hearing about it. Until then it’s just a conspiracy theory on sites like the conservative failhouse.
CTH suggest that Trump wants a new bilateral trade deal with Canada. Problem is, the Chinese communists will not allow the Libranos to offer terms the US could ever accept. Trudeau will never agree to close Canada’s borders either to cheaply and badly-made Chinese steel, or to lethal elephant tranquilizer destined for sale to children on American street corners.
A prerequisite to any deal will be Canadians’ sending the Libranos packing and seeing to it they never get near power again.
For now, my money’s on an embargo, not a deal—just in time for the 2019 election. Give Liberal voters what they think they want, and give it to them good and hard. Maybe a 50-cent loonie and shortages of fresh food will give them pause.
“Maybe a 50-cent loonie and shortages of fresh food will give them pause.” Nope… Trudopians would probably cheer it on… I see very little evidence that Trudopians are politically more sophisticated than Venezuelans… nothing will defeat the globalist cabal that runs this shithole called Trudopia… Trudopians are just far too dumb, passive and politically unsophisticated to change… The Groper will win again and the country may finally come to its sad pathetic end.
Sean, good points but see either the glass half full rather than half empty. Even the Corpse cannot hide what is in front of people as they try to survive.
Trudeau, our juvenille in chief, hired a journalist, and worse she was chosen only because she is a woman, to head up the negotiations from our side.
From his side Trump brought in a highly seasoned, smart, shrewd trade lawyer with over 40 years of experience.
We get everything we deserve. Maybe Canadians will learn that electing a man only for his looks and because he is a media darling is an utterly stupid idea.
Why wasn’t C. McKenna in trade rather than the environment?
Because she’s a social justice and human rights lawyer with economics from the London school?
Do you really want THAT anywhere near trade negotiations?
You do if you’re Trudeau assuming he was serious about the sjw focus of our side.
Chrystia was chosen to spit in the eye of the Jews and the Russians. The fact that she was ever born is an insult to all those murdered by Hitler and his Ukrainian collaborators, Jewish and Gentile alike.
This is not the sort of person anybody with an ounce of sense would appoint to a diplomatic post.
https://www.nationalnewswatch.com/2018/08/13/trump-cant-reach-nafta-deal-without-canada-quebec-chief-negotiator-2/#.W3HXbM5KiUl
Even if Trump really wanted that, Bachand said, he couldn’t get it.
“If the U.S. wanted a bilateral deal — and they don’t, they’ve repeated often they want a trilateral deal — they don’t have legal authority.
“They have the authority from Congress to negotiate a trilateral NAFTA deal in a fast-track way — meaning Congress votes yes or no on the final deal once it’s been reached. They don’t have that (fast-track) authority for a bilateral deal.”
Yet another flaw in the Conservative FAILhouse argument.
Sure Allan – Trump can’t do anything – except he continually keeps doing everything they would have you believe he can’t . Trudeau was offered an olive branch and he spit on it . I know you don’t believe that . I still believe Trudeau intends to ride this pony into the next election . It will likely work. Nafta as it has been is done . Our illustrious leaders from all parties supported by CBC and CTV are making sure average Canadians have no grasp of our trade situation nor the lack of tools we have in this negotiation . We needed to partner with U.S. and pursue a personal relationship with Trump. We chose war . I have found that is seldom a winning strategy with any customer let alone one with whom you do 70% of your trade . The real tragedy is how many people in this country are too closed minded or guliible or obtuse to have any understanding beyond Trump is a bad bully .
Complete BS. Trump threw a hissy fit on AF1 over nothing and decided to make it personal. He has no power to cancel NAFTA and no power enforce a new one, it all has to go through the senate.
Thank you Allan . As usual you have demonstrated your complete lack of comprehension of the situation .
Allen Ass, yer a truck driver, and most truck drivers are that because they are not smart enough for other jobs, and you’v proven that, over and over in here. I’v dealt with about 20 PHDs in my time, and one thing most of those have in common is the ability to say “I don’t know”, or “I am wrong”, 2 phrases you appear to be unable to mouth. You are not smart enough to grasp what is happening as to the trade issue, F**king period!!!!!
“They have the authority from Congress to negotiate a trilateral NAFTA deal in a fast-track way — meaning Congress votes yes or no on the final deal once it’s been reached. They don’t have that (fast-track) authority for a bilateral deal.”
_______________________
Nope. There are many ways around that misunderstanding. Pay attention to Trump’s language. You’ll hear the term “national security” quite a bit. Especially relative to the the US Manufacturing base decay. Such a tiny little term allows the application of “Executive Orders.” Now, before you take that bit of enlightenment and apply your disdain of Trump as a result, please understand that such an abuse of power was established by liberal administrations. An example Bill Clinton “Stroke of a pen, law of the land.”
What US manufacturing base decay?
Are you just trolling or are you really this uninformed on basic issues?
The only reason he uses national security terms is because it allows him to enact tariffs unilaterally due to an obscure law. There are Repulbican efforts to remove this ability.
“His painting of NAFTA as a problem is completely false, and his “fixes” are laughable at best”
Do don’t have to “LIKE” his fixes at all. Its only important that Americans like them.
Its a damn shame that Canada will have to suffer as a result of Turdeaus gaffs and inexperience.What was it the conservatives said about him at the last election.”Not ready for prime time” or something similar. How true.How true.
Notice how when the foundations of a post are completely blown to bits that post is quickly buried?
Buried just like your head ,Allan.
HUYA
Allan S, “that isn’t the way it’s done!” only worked as an argument back before the USA had an iconoclast as president. You are correct that Trump’s signature alone lacks power. But, you’re ignoring that Trump has more power – due to his out-of-the-box approach to his job – than merely what his signature confers.
He may need to rush things through before January 1, but if he can, he’ll get his congressional approval for a bi-lat with Mexico. Approval of that will automatically supersede NAFTA. And then, if the R’s lose the House, Canada can start negotiating a Canada-USA deal but the divided congress won’t approve anything, and Canada is really screwed, as is anyone in the USA who depends on USA/Canada trade.
Actually no, Allan S. The post was scheduled some time ago to post automatically, as was the post above it and I haven’t read any of the comments until just *now*.
Which is why there’s a comments thread beneath each one — so you can haggle the merits thereof amongst yourselves, or at the original link.
And because I’m busy as hell some days and not reading your every word.
Or your any word, for that matter.
Don’t worry I was just amusing myself.
you are the only one amused.
Pierre Trudeau was always anti-American. Ditto for Justin. In June of 2017 Justin invited Obama to Montreal.
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/06/07/justin-trudeau-and-barack-obama-reignite-bromance-over-dinner-in-montreal.html
As one who despises Trudeau , I thought this was incredibly stupid to do shortly after Trump was elected and later in light if the “insurance policy” revelations in the DOJ/FBI , I wondered if Obama hinted that things may be back to normal ? The negotiating stance of the Trudeau/Freeland team certainly appeared to assume Trump would neutralized as they just assumed the status quo was in play.
Prior to Justin back stabbing after the G7 , I doubt the issue of dairy and poultry marketing boards was a big issue , but it sure was after. Knowing how much the Liberals (Justin) rely on support from Quebec , forcing him to decide between Quebec milk or autos is a real Catch-22 for Justin : give up the milk marketing board and he loses Quebec , hold firm on retaining the milk marketing board and he loses the auto sector and the Ontario vote. I am certain POTUS Trump is smiling as this is real payback for the G7 treachery.
Now even before getting back to the table Trudeau has ruled out changes to the marketing boards , and if so the auto sector is SOL.
One can get wrapped up in posturing on either side, but if serious progress has been made with Mexico and NAFTA is still a prospective reality, then we should see a jump in the Canadian dollar on the news of Mexico and the US coming closer to agreement on the issues.
Nope–CAD still down 5 cents from this January.
Of course it’s difficult to distinguish the effect of NAFTA failure on CAD from the pipeline failure, to the latest foreign relations failure involving Saudi Arabia. It’s one thing to put pressure on Saudi Arabia through diplomatic channels, it’s another to grandstand about it in the media for virtue-signalling politics at home. And how many countries have come out publicly to back Canada in this? Our foreign policy is being run by children.
Canada was effed from the time Trump sent little turdo off to play with Ivanka and the girls. He had recognized exactly what he was up against: all the substance of a fairy fart.
It was a dismissal, but our stupid, cooing press hailed it as some kind of victory for turdp la doo and Canada.
What short memories many Canadians possess. When Mulroney negotiated NAFTA, the Libs and NDP were sure it would destroy Canada and campaigned on a threat of withdrawing from the agreement. Now they seem to think that ending NAFTA would destroy Canada. We have always been at war with Eastasia.
Yes, but … but … but … for the last couple of months since the US and Mexico were reported to be in serious discussions, Canada’s negotiating team has been slaving away behind the scenes on a new Gender Equality (GE) chapter for the new NAFTA, pending the anticipated invitation back to the table.
Deep strategic thinker that he is, PM Trudeau instructed that the wording of the GE chapter be very cleverly crafted so as to require minimal wording adjustments in order to fit easily into any bilateral trade agreement with either the US or Mexico if that is the way the world unfolds.
Well Turdope is consistent, he’s f**ked up just about every thing he’s attempted, except piss billions away off-shore.
*
pm dressup now pretending he didn’t
alienate saudi arabia…
Trudeau continued to meander through
the questions and then proclaimed, “I don’t
want to dictate to other countries what
their positions should be”.
*
Has anyone been keeping a list of the Trudeau fails?
Since the indian vacation the media hasn’t been quite as warm to the Sockmonkey as before ….. still willing to do the tongue bath just not enthusiastic about it as before.
His schtick has become predictable and stale, and even though the media reflectively supports juthtin, they have admitted his performance has been as PMSH said it would be.
He apologized
He wept
He virtue signaled
He booted fellow gropers out of caucus.
He exempted himself when accused as a groper.
He raised taxes on so called rich induvidual corporations but exempted family trusts (his and Morneaus)
He welcomed any “irregular” that can make it across the border.
He gave 2.65 BILLION to Africa to fight climate change in his 1st few weeks in office.
And blamed the Harper govt for not balancing the books so he could give away more.
Perma deficits with the Liberanos in power
Gun control leg w/stricter security checks
While elimating tough on crime legislation.
Cancelled several pipelines by outright tanker bans or environmental regulations
Bought a spiffy pipeline from Kinder Morgan that wont/cant be built losing Canadians BILLIONS in the process.
(Add 1.8 Billion to the purchase price)
Carbon taxation for ALL. Except Quebec heavy emitters and a Quebec pipeline.
Insulted President Trump after “getting the win” on NAFTA sunser clause.
Insulted KSA with a toxic tweet DEMANDING an immediate release of Raif Badawi because the bloggers ‘fugee wife is now a dual citizen.
Several Cdn companies will be bankrupt in the process.
Cdn farmers affected because the Redwater fert plant processes phosphorous out of Saudi Rock phos feed stock.
Very good list, but you must add the ridiculous hijab-cut-with-scissors-in-Scarborough hoax that he swallowed whole without any attempt to check the facts. That one makes any baby Trudeau highlight reel because it shows his irresponsibility, ignorance and infantilism and, more importantly, it shows that if you are a white working stiff Canadian he is not on your side.
also add to that the shameless and exceedingly offensive practice of garnering brownie points by sympathizing PUBLICLY for those selfies to come out with the boucher family, the Danforth folks and now Fredericton.
hey ponysocksTURD, do it PRIVATELY out of respect for those families in future.
this god&^^%#med trust brat is all the WORST of liberalism.
As I have repeatedly said: “What part of ‘bilateral’ did our brain trust not understand?”
The “bilateral” part.