CTV News version -’ OTTAWA — A bipartisan group of U.S. senators are in Ottawa looking to “build bridges, not throw wrenches” ( (ME) bridges as determined and defined by Americans. ) as Canada and the United States close in on the Aug. 1 deadline to reach a trade agreement. The four-member delegation — Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada), and Maggie Hassan (D-New Hampshire) — said their aim was to signal congressional support for a resolution to ongoing trade disputes, ( (ME) – Wait, You pick a fight and threaten to take over our country, and all of a sudden it’s simply a Trade dispute) particularly within the framework of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. The delegation is part of the powerful Senate Committee on Finance and is led by ranking member Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon.
ME – Build bridges? Read ON
The senators discussed a wide range of issues with Prime Minister Mark Carney behind closed doors for forty-five minutes in his office. Sen. Wyden said that tariffs were central to the discussions, with the cost to consumers being the biggest concern. “We made it clear that on a bipartisan basis, we want to work with all sides ( (ME) All sides? – Sounds like Trumps “Good People on both sides” to me. ) of the executive branch in both countries to get some stability back in the economy in the United States and in Canada,” Sen. Wyden told reporters following the meeting.At issue are mounting trade irritants between Canada and the U.S., including disputes over dairy, digital services, clean energy incentives, and softwood lumber. The Canada-U.S. softwood lumber trade relationship has dealt with ups and downs for decades. Canadian exporters are concerned as the U.S. threatens to more than double softwood lumber duties and add even steeper tariffs under a national security investigation.
And (apparently Carney liked their (IDEAS?))
Wyden,s Ideas:
Canada should ensure through law, that we will never tax American tech companies for money they make from Canadian business
Canada should accept reduced softwood lumber sales to the U.S.
We should reinvigorate the USMCA – ( (ME) – read give even more to the U.S. and get even less back)
Murkowski chimed in with “We like Canadians,and we want you to keep visiting”. ( (ME) – we want your money. )
In another news article the American Ambassador to Canada said Canadians are “nasty” for not buying American goods or travelling to the U.S. (ME) – Tough Shit – personally I’d kick him out of the country)
NOTE: No mention of anywhere of anything that the U.S. should or will do? They were both Republicans and Democrats, but they still have to follow the wishes of their dear Orange dictator.
Wyden – “I think we now have a clear idea of how to proceed, and that’s to build around some sort of quota arrangement,” said Wyden, who chairs the Senate Finance Committee. “And the prime minister said he was open to that, so lots to work on. ((ME) – How about we put a quota on U.S. B.S.) ”Wyden also noted signs of progress in the discussions, saying both sides appeared open to “constructive solutions.” ( Both Sides ?, constructive? ie: Canada should sit back and take what they get and like it). Senator Cortez Masto emphasized the importance of maintaining the USMCA, which came into effect in 2020. “There traditionally has been that great partnership with Canada, ( (ME) Sure, the Americans have had a one way deal for decades and they want it to continue) and for that reason, as a member of Senate Finance, I do think it is important we reinvigorate ( (ME) -make it even more one sided ) the USMCA and work within the confines of the agreement that we’ve already negotiated.”Murkowski echoed that sentiment, saying, “I think this is yet another aspect of what we’re trying to do today to reinforce these relationships, to ensure that going forward, we see good reforms to the USMCA.” ( (ME) – I repeat – make it even more one sided. Think softwood lumber, Boeing,s attempt to destroy Canada’s aircraft industry, Steel and aluminum tariffs that came from nowhere. ) Carney described the meeting as “good,” and did not offer additional comment.The delegation also attended meetings with Dominic LeBlanc, Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, as well as Industry Minister Mélanie Joly, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne and Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand. (ME) – Now there’s a Group I have confidence in – (the four stooges). When asked by CTV News outside his office on the potential of reaching a deal with LeBlanc said he was “hopeful.” The visit comes just days before the July 31 deadline for USMCA dispute consultations, adding urgency to efforts on both sides of the border to reach a path forward. According to a readout from the Prime Minister’s Office, senior officials, including his new Chief of Staff Marc-Andre Blanchard, were in Washington last week to “advance negotiations”. LeBlanc is expected to head back to the U.S. capital to continue that work this week.
One Senator . said Trump’s 51st state rhetoric is ‘positioning statement’ Speaking to reporters following the meeting, Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski was asked about Trump’s taunts about Canada becoming the 51st state. “I think it has been made very, very clear that most view that as nothing more than a positioning statement, if you will, ( (ME) It’s just words, Don’t worry, we haven’t actually invaded you ‘YET’ have we? Sounds like something Putin would have said to Zelensky) something to maybe agitate. ( It isn’t really important what insults or threats we throw at you and your country, it’s just our way of having some fun). Murkowski went on to offer some advice to Trump. “My advice to the President, not that he will take it willingly,” ( (ME) guaranteed he won’t.), is that constructive dialogue is going to be what reinforces this long-standing relationship between these two countries.”
CTV files from Mike Le Couteur
My response to the Senators – Go Home! – we will call you when we want your advice.
For Carney – You had better not be giving Canada away behind closed doors.