Republican lawmakers in the U.S. are voicing their support for President Donald Trump’s trade dispute with Canada and placing blame on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s administration for pulling out of negotiations. A group of GOP House members convened at Capitol Hill for a meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to discuss tariffs. While some Republicans are privately worried that escalating tariffs could impact their re-election chances in the upcoming midterms, those who spoke with CBC News after the meeting expressed solidarity with the president’s trade tactics.
Texas Republican August Pfluger commended Trump for reshoring manufacturing jobs and accused Canada of perpetuating the trade conflict. Brian Mast, a five-term Congressman from Florida, also criticized Canada for disrupting trade discussions, stating that they turned down a favorable deal. U.S. Trade Representative Greer refrained from commenting on the status of negotiations with Canada following the meeting.
President Trump, at the White House, reiterated his belief that Canada has taken advantage of the U.S. for too long in trade dealings. He specifically pointed out restrictions on U.S. bank operations in Canada as a major issue. Trump emphasized that Canadian banks have a significant presence in the U.S., while American banks face limitations in Canada.
On the issue of the trade war’s impact on voters, South Carolina Congressman Ralph Norman raised concerns about affordability. He highlighted the importance of addressing how tariffs affect different states. Despite public opposition to Trump’s tariffs, several Congressional Republicans stood behind the president’s stance on the trade conflict with Canada. Missouri Congressman Eric Burlison cautioned against Canada imposing retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports, emphasizing the economic strength of the United States in comparison to Canada.