The mayor of Surrey and the Surrey White Rock Board of Trade applauded the federal government for not backing down in trade negotiations with the United States instead of agreeing to something that \u201cdoes not protect Canadian businesses, workers and resources.\u201d<\/p>\n
Trade talks between Canada and the United States broke down late Friday night (Aug. 21). <\/p>\n
At a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa Saturday (Aug. 22), Prime Minister Mark Carney told reporters why \u201cthey are walking away from a bad deal\u201d and what Canada\u2019s next steps are. <\/p>\n
Carney said the last-minute changes to the deal that the United States was proposing were \u201cunfair, uneconomic, and called into question the reliability of any deal.\u201d<\/p>\n
The United States \u201casked for too much and offered too little,\u201d Carney said. Late Friday night (Aug. 21), he decided to suspend the negotiations and instructed the Canadian negotiators to return to Ottawa. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe cannot accept what they have offered and give what they have asked,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
As of midnight on Aug. 22, \u201cthe U.S. intends to impose a 50% tariff on roughly $28 billion of Canadian goods. Canada will match those tariffs dollar for dollar to protect our workers and businesses,\u201d he said. Canada will impose \u201cdollar-for-dollar\u201d tariffs, which will come into effect on Sept. 8. <\/p>\n
A reporter asked the prime minister, \u201cWhy does it feel like today Mark Carney is going to war?\u201d<\/p>\n
Carney responded, \u201cBecause we have been attacked; you are at war when you get attacked, and we were attacked. We waited until the United States decided to implement these so-called 338 tariffs.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that these steps are being taken \u201creluctantly\u201d because some \u201cU.S. companies and U.S. States are innocent bystanders in a dispute that they did not want,\u201d and that these will raise costs and reduce choices for Canadians.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut we take this step confident that it is in the best interest of Canada and by rejecting a bad deal, by standing up to Canada, by focusing on what we can control, we will build Canada strong for all,\u201d Carney said. <\/p>\n
Surrey mayor Brenda Locke said, \u201cThe Prime Minister was right to reject an unfair agreement that would have harmed Canada\u2019s economy and weakened our independence. Canada negotiated in good faith, but no deadline and no threat of tariffs should force our country to accept a bad deal. Canada must decide its own future, and Canadians must stand together to defend it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Locke said the U.S. decision to impose tariffs is \u201cunfair\u201d and will ultimately hurt Canadian and American families and workers. <\/p>\n
\u201cSurrey supports the federal government\u2019s strong response and its commitment to protect Canadian jobs and industries. Canada will not be intimidated, divided or pressured into giving up control of its future,\u201d Locke said. <\/p>\n
Joslyn Young, CEO of the Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade (SWRBOT), said, \u201cWe are disappointed that the U.S. negotiating team was unable to reach an agreement with Canada that respects our longstanding economic partnership and the principles of fair, rules-based trade. A deal at any cost is not a good deal.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are hopeful the United States will return to the table with a different perspective, but we cannot build Canadian economic policy on that possibility,\u201d Young said. \u201cRegardless of what happens next, Canadian businesses should continue diversifying their supply chains and customer base.\u201d<\/p>\n
But the federal, provincial and territorial governments must remove the \u201cunnecessary barriers to doing business across provincial borders.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to make Canada one of the easiest and most competitive places in the world to build and grow a business,\u201d Young said. \u201cThat means making it easier for Canadian companies to invest, hire, expand and sell to customers across the country.\u201d<\/p>\n
Young encouraged businesses to continue to diversify their supply change and develop new and domestic markets. <\/p>\n
\u201cCanada\u2019s relationship with the United States will remain critically important, but resilience requires options,\u201d Young said. \u201cThis is not about turning away from the U.S. It is about ensuring Canada is strong enough that no single country can determine our economic future.\u201d<\/p>\n