The premiers were briefed about the state of negotiations by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc
OTTAWA — Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew expressed his dislike on Thursday for the current interim trade deal being finalized by Canadian and American negotiators, but acknowledged the need for the federal government to get an agreement.
Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.
Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
“The deal will not be right for me, I expect,” said Kinew, during a press conference in Winnipeg. “But it’s not about me, it’s about team Canada.”
The premier said there will be tariffs in the deal, but he was waiting on the exact details.
Political Hack gets at what’s really going on behind the scenes on Parliament Hill. Wednesdays and Fridays.
The premiers were briefed about the state of negotiations by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc on Wednesday after U.S. President Donald Trump hit pause on tariffs set to hit $29 billion worth of Canadian goods, citing a tentative trade deal with Canada.
In that meeting, Carney asked the premiers to put U.S. alcohol back on their shelves and end the moratorium in the provinces. Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston told reporters he was willing to end the ban in his province, if an agreement is reached.
Kinew said he thinks Canada should fight a “weak” Trump and argued Canadian consumers should not buy U.S. alcohol products, even if they are returned to provincial shelves.
“What I would say to Canadians is leave it there,” said Kinew. “If we put the booze back on the shelves, don’t buy it.”
The premier said he also reserves the right to take U.S. booze off the shelf again, given the unpredictability of Trump’s trade policy.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s office made no comment on the prime minister’s request. Meanwhile, Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette said she will make a decision on the return of U.S. alcohol after an analysis on the impact the potential deal will have on Quebec’s economy.
