Trump attacks Canada and Mexico over trade

[DonViejo]

Source: Politico




By LOUIS NELSON 03/05/2018 07:34 AM EST Updated 03/05/2018 08:01 AM EST

President Donald Trump lashed out Monday morning against two of America’s top international trading partners, attacking Canada for its treatment of U.S. farmers and demanding that Mexico do more to stop the cross-border flow of narcotics.

Trump also suggested that Canada and Mexico could avoid forthcoming tariffs if they agree to a renegotiated trade deal.

“We have large trade deficits with Mexico and Canada. NAFTA, which is under renegotiation right now, has been a bad deal for U.S.A. Massive relocation of companies & jobs. Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum will only come off if new & fair NAFTA agreement is signed,” Trump wrote on Twitter Monday across a pair of posts. “Also, Canada must treat our farmers much better. Highly restrictive. Mexico must do much more on stopping drugs from pouring into the U.S. They have not done what needs to be done. Millions of people addicted and dying.”

Trump’s distaste for NAFTA, which he has pledged to renegotiate or else withdraw the U.S. from, dates back to his 2016 campaign, when he regularly railed against it and other trade deals in speeches at his rallies. But the president has ramped up his protectionist rhetoric in recent days after announcing plans to install a fresh package of tariffs that he has argued will protect and bolster U.S. workers.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/story/2018/03/05/trump-canada-mexico-nafta-trade-435820?lo=ap_b1

[Stuart G]

1. Trump cannot keep his mouth shut. That is the real problem!

[Historic NY]

2. He keeps trying to hold other countries hostage, by bullying them.

[underpants]

3. And this isn't mafia-esque how?

It's not a matter of doing something to avoid something it's NOT doing something OR something will happen.

[Freethinker65]

4. IMO, If Trump was stable and consistent in bullying, this shit might work

I hate the method, but if done correctly and you have been proven in the past to "mean what you say", Trump may have gotten some changes to increase his power and make him wealthier (we know he does not give a damn about the country).

Unfortunately Trump is far from stable and consistent. He changes his rhetoric depending on his audience at the time and is seen as a clueless demented narcissist on the world stage. He does not understand how international trade works and evidently no one at the WH has the guts and/or expertise to take the lead on trade policy. If left with Trump demanding contradictory trade concessions from global trading partners based upon what alternate "news" or opinion piece Trump has just watched on TV, the U.S. should be prepared to be isolated and shut out of any trade deals.

[PatSeg]

6. Yes, he isn't even good a bullying

He is in a constant state of reactive chaos. I can't imagine any country trying to negotiate with the man. They know he is erratic and can't be trusted. They are probably hoping he will gone soon.

[keepleft101]

5. I get that we all hate Trump

but I must point out again that Bernie believed in a lot of what Trump is saying.

Our trade deals are bad.

[PatSeg]

7. Yes

Bernie wasn't the only one. I read plenty of complaints right here on DU about our trade deals. Throwing everything out the window, however, probably isn't the best option. I certainly don't trust Trump to renegotiate them.

[CanonRay]

8. People are dying from Opioids

home-grown poison, nothing to do with Mexico.