shockedcanadian
Diamond Member
- Aug 6, 2012
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In regards to the NAFTA negotiations, Canada and to a lesser extent, Mexico are angry at the Buy American rules that Trump wants. US taxpayers buying from domestic sources rather than using taxpayer funds to prop up Canadian businesses; many in effect, propping up the Canadian government who have patsies in these businesses, or are de-facto management.
Since America is the only capitalist country in these negotiations, of course nations like Canada are mad at this premise, Canadian businesses have become welfare recipients, courtesy of the U.S taxpayer. The largest benefactor is the government and their crony capitalist pals.
I communicated the following to the Trump administration, and have shared it on this forum as well. The grievance process in NAFTA is not working (Chapter 19), as the Canadian security apparatus works covertly in American corporations. I stated that Canada would never accept changes to this agreement if it held them more accountable, I shared this opinion with my own federal government, the RCMP and their pals, and, the U.S negotiators. As it were, America has taken it a step further and is now interested in getting rid of the process altogether. I think this is a mistake where instead whistle blower processes should be in place, regardless, Canada is not happy with this suggestion.
I also communicated Canada's abuse of the auto industry, particularly in Ontario. I provided details of the $400M given to GM by Ontario and Canada to keep jobs in two cities in Ontario. Now, the auto industry is under the microscope as Trumps Team is wisely suggesting that rules of origin must be increased to avoid tariffs. This is a massive blow to Canada and Mexico who have stolen hundreds of thousands (millions?) of jobs in manufacturing while providing very little in return, because, as I've stated; they are not capitalist countries.
Bottom line, it is clear that Trumps Team is very well prepared and have listened to the concerns and eyed the facts regarding trade abuses. There is simply no way that so many major U.S corporations would move their HQ's and manufacturing to Canada unless there is some "incentive" being provided. At what cost? Does GM or other companies not believe there is a sovereignty issue when they are given money to move or stay in Canada?
You bet there is.
U.S. signals Trump’s Buy American agenda non-negotiable in NAFTA talks | TheSpec.com
OTTAWA — The U.S. appears to be signalling that President Donald Trump's vow to aggressively promote a "buy American, hire American" agenda is not open to discussion during negotiations on a new North American Free Trade Agreement.
The Trump administration has served notice that it's dealing with the issue outside NAFTA.
While it's being pulled in one direction by Canada and Mexico, urging it to reduce Buy American rules for public-works contracts, and in the other direction by domestic U.S. politicians seeking an increase in Buy American, the administration has issued a reminder that it's working on a separate path.
The U.S. government posted a notice seeking public comment on the costs and benefits of trade agreements on the operation of Buy American laws in government procurement, which appeared just as negotiators were huddled in Washington for the opening round of NAFTA talks.
It flows from an executive order Trump signed earlier this year designed to make maximum use of Buy American rules. The order instructed government departments to perform studies within five months, with a report due to the president by Nov. 24.
A notice is now inviting public comment for this report. The notice from the Department of Commerce and the U.S. trade czar has just appeared online and is to be officially posted on the U.S. federal register on Monday, seeking industry submissions by Sept. 18.
Ohio-based trade lawyer Dan Ujczo says it's no coincidence that the notice turned up while NAFTA negotiators for Canada and Mexico were still in the U.S. capital.
"It's a strategy," he said in an interview. "They want people to know that it's coming out."
Both Canada and Mexico want to expand procurement obligations in NAFTA, giving their companies more opportunity to bid on major U.S. government contracts, particularly lucrative infrastructure projects at the state and local level.
Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland in a speech last week referred to the argument that these buy-local rules are poor public policy, driving up prices and resulting in worse infrastructure, and harming the economy: "(It's) political junk food — superficially appetizing, but unhealthy in the long run," she said.
Since America is the only capitalist country in these negotiations, of course nations like Canada are mad at this premise, Canadian businesses have become welfare recipients, courtesy of the U.S taxpayer. The largest benefactor is the government and their crony capitalist pals.
I communicated the following to the Trump administration, and have shared it on this forum as well. The grievance process in NAFTA is not working (Chapter 19), as the Canadian security apparatus works covertly in American corporations. I stated that Canada would never accept changes to this agreement if it held them more accountable, I shared this opinion with my own federal government, the RCMP and their pals, and, the U.S negotiators. As it were, America has taken it a step further and is now interested in getting rid of the process altogether. I think this is a mistake where instead whistle blower processes should be in place, regardless, Canada is not happy with this suggestion.
I also communicated Canada's abuse of the auto industry, particularly in Ontario. I provided details of the $400M given to GM by Ontario and Canada to keep jobs in two cities in Ontario. Now, the auto industry is under the microscope as Trumps Team is wisely suggesting that rules of origin must be increased to avoid tariffs. This is a massive blow to Canada and Mexico who have stolen hundreds of thousands (millions?) of jobs in manufacturing while providing very little in return, because, as I've stated; they are not capitalist countries.
Bottom line, it is clear that Trumps Team is very well prepared and have listened to the concerns and eyed the facts regarding trade abuses. There is simply no way that so many major U.S corporations would move their HQ's and manufacturing to Canada unless there is some "incentive" being provided. At what cost? Does GM or other companies not believe there is a sovereignty issue when they are given money to move or stay in Canada?
You bet there is.
U.S. signals Trump’s Buy American agenda non-negotiable in NAFTA talks | TheSpec.com
OTTAWA — The U.S. appears to be signalling that President Donald Trump's vow to aggressively promote a "buy American, hire American" agenda is not open to discussion during negotiations on a new North American Free Trade Agreement.
The Trump administration has served notice that it's dealing with the issue outside NAFTA.
While it's being pulled in one direction by Canada and Mexico, urging it to reduce Buy American rules for public-works contracts, and in the other direction by domestic U.S. politicians seeking an increase in Buy American, the administration has issued a reminder that it's working on a separate path.
The U.S. government posted a notice seeking public comment on the costs and benefits of trade agreements on the operation of Buy American laws in government procurement, which appeared just as negotiators were huddled in Washington for the opening round of NAFTA talks.
It flows from an executive order Trump signed earlier this year designed to make maximum use of Buy American rules. The order instructed government departments to perform studies within five months, with a report due to the president by Nov. 24.
A notice is now inviting public comment for this report. The notice from the Department of Commerce and the U.S. trade czar has just appeared online and is to be officially posted on the U.S. federal register on Monday, seeking industry submissions by Sept. 18.
Ohio-based trade lawyer Dan Ujczo says it's no coincidence that the notice turned up while NAFTA negotiators for Canada and Mexico were still in the U.S. capital.
"It's a strategy," he said in an interview. "They want people to know that it's coming out."
Both Canada and Mexico want to expand procurement obligations in NAFTA, giving their companies more opportunity to bid on major U.S. government contracts, particularly lucrative infrastructure projects at the state and local level.
Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland in a speech last week referred to the argument that these buy-local rules are poor public policy, driving up prices and resulting in worse infrastructure, and harming the economy: "(It's) political junk food — superficially appetizing, but unhealthy in the long run," she said.
