Ottawa, ON – Randy Hoback, Conservative Shadow Minister for International Trade and Supply Chain Resilience and Gérard Deltell, Conservative Shadow Minister for Innovation, Science and Industry released the following statement on the Canada-U.S. relationship on the eve of U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai’s visit to Canada:
“Canada’s relationship with the United States – by far our largest and most significant trading partner – continues to suffer because of the Liberals’ failure to nurture and protect our trading relationship.
“Canadian workers and businesses are suffering under high lumber tariffs because this government has failed to secure a new softwood lumber agreement. Threats to our auto sector persist because the Liberal government has no idea how to advance and protect key Canadian interests. The continued risk of a shutdown to the Line 5 pipeline is the latest example of this government’s total disregard for the men and women in our energy sector.
“The Trudeau Liberals have also failed to secure an exemption to the most protectionist Buy American policies Canadian businesses have ever faced – something the previous Conservative government was able to obtain from the Obama administration.
“While Canada’s Official Opposition welcomes Ambassador Tai to Canada, it is time for Minister Ng to stand up for Canadian interests and get results. With prices for everything at record levels due to inflation running at a 31-year high, Canadian workers, businesses and families need relief from the cost-of-living crisis and need results from the Trudeau Liberals.
“Conservatives are calling for real action from Minister Ng to foster our most important trade relationship, secure better outcomes for Canadian workers, families, and businesses, and protect local jobs.
“Minister Ng must work relentlessly to resolve the many growing challenges facing our exporters, secure better outcomes for Canadians, and protect the 1 in 5 jobs in Canada that depend on exports to the United States – especially in our forestry, oil and gas, and automotive sectors.
“Anything less will render this visit a failure.”
