The clock continues to wind down on U.S. President Donald Trump’s subsequent deadline for imposing sweeping tariffs on Canadian items. Within the meantime, some American lawmakers are pushing the president to again off tariffs altogether — they usually hope Canada notices.
“I actually hope the pause continues,” Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear mentioned in an interview on Rosemary Barton Reside. “However my actual hope is a few closing settlement may be reached. Tariffs are solely going to extend costs on the American folks and doubtless on the Canadian folks.”
Each nations have agreed to face down on a commerce conflict — for now. On Monday, Trump was set to put 25 per cent tariffs on nearly all Canadian items, which prompted Canada to declare retaliatory tariffs hours in a while a slate of American items.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear talks concerning the good points within the state’s annual financial development, in Frankfort, Ky., on Dec. 18, 2024. (Timothy D. Easley/The Related Press)
Beshear, a Democrat, criticized the U.S. president’s tariffs.
“Canada is considered one of our strongest allies, considered one of our strongest associates, considered one of our strongest companions,” he mentioned. “So to me as governor, it is actually essential that we transfer previous this and get again to that robust relationship we have had.”
A Canada-U.S. tariff combat would threaten Kentucky in a number of methods. The state exported $9.1 billion US in items to Canada in 2023, representing 23 per cent of the state’s whole items exports, in keeping with the Workplace of the US Commerce Consultant.
Earlier than the pause got here into impact, a number of Canadian provinces and territories started taking American liquor off retailer cabinets, together with Kentucky bourbon.
Beshear identified that Kentucky’s two Republican senators, Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul, have each criticized tariffs in interviews with American media shops or on social media.
“I do hope that the Canadian authorities, in its response, sees people who find themselves making an attempt to do proper, get up for the proper issues,” Beshear mentioned. “And we do not need to deprive nice bourbon from anyone around the globe.”
Tariffs are merely taxes. Conservatives as soon as united towards new taxes. Taxing commerce will imply much less commerce and better costs.
—@RandPaul
Illinois Rep. Nikki Budzinski advised host Rosemary Barton she’s involved about Canada’s retaliatory tariffs as a result of they would proceed to raise costs for farmers, making it harder for them “to maintain their heads above water.”
Budzinski, a Democrat, additionally mentioned she’s involved concerning the instability Trump is inflicting for Canada-U.S. relations and for companies in the US.
“We additionally must cease enjoying these political video games with a few of our most essential companions on this planet, and that is Canada,” she mentioned.
Are the tariffs actually about fentanyl?
As a part of a last-minute cope with Trump to keep away from the tariffs, Canada promised to nominate a “fentanyl czar,” listing Mexican cartels as terrorists and kick in $200 million to launch a Canada-U.S. Joint Strike Power tasked with combating organized crime and cash laundering.
When requested if he thinks fentanyl is fuelling Trump’s tariffs, Beshear mentioned the opioid and drug epidemic in the US is an actual concern, particularly in Kentucky.
“However while you have a look at the numbers, the Canadian border just isn’t one of many causes of this epidemic,” the Kentucky governor mentioned.
Figures from U.S. Customs and Border Safety present the company seized 19.5 kilograms of fentanyl on the border with Canada final yr, in contrast with 9,570 kilograms on the border with Mexico.
“Definitely, I believe what we have seen from the Canadian authorities — and guarantees to step up enforcement — ought to finish this factor totally,” Beshear mentioned.
Likewise, Budzinski mentioned there’s a border disaster within the U.S., however the focus is on Mexico.
The Illinois congresswoman added it is “disingenuous” for Trump to assert he is gotten extra commitments from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau when Canada was already taking motion again in December, when Joe Biden was in workplace.
Canada’s incoming ‘fentanyl czar’
On Thursday, Public Security Minister David McGuinty promised the czar shall be appointed earlier than the tariff pause ends on March 4.
It isn’t clear what the scope of the job shall be, or who will take up the position, however some Canadian legislation enforcement officers are supporting the transfer, together with RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme.
Duheme mentioned he sees the fentanyl czar as a “conduit the place every thing that is being carried out from a federal authorities perspective flows as much as this one that then is in a greater place to transient the prime minister or cupboard.”
“There’s so many authorities departments concerned within the combat towards fentanyl,” he mentioned in an interview on Rosemary Barton Reside, including that he additionally sees the czar constructing relationships with officers within the U.S. and Mexico.
RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme waits to seem earlier than the Home of Commons entry to data, privateness and ethics committee, in Ottawa on Feb. 27, 2024. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)
The RCMP commissioner additionally mentioned the brand new place will not intrude with the Mounties’ work “as a result of we have now police independence and that is going to take care of.”
Some premiers and provincial politicians have begun to precise concern concerning the reality the fentanyl czar hasn’t been appointed but, together with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Ontario Premier Doug Ford.
On Saturday afternoon, Smith mentioned in a social media publish that her province “is perplexed and anxious by the delay in appointing this fentanyl czar and calls on the federal authorities to take action with out additional delay.”
Earlier on Saturday, Ford despatched out an easier message: “Appoint them now.”
After crediting the Canadian authorities’s actions on combating fentanyl, Beshear mentioned that almost all People “do not view Canada in the best way [Trump] does.”
“And I hope that Canadians which might be watching this, watching me and watching the entire thing unfurl — this isn’t the bulk consensus of our nation.”
