Bombshell leak to Toronto Star upends NAFTA talks: In secret 'so insulting' remarks, Trump says he

[highplainsdem]

Source: Toronto Star

Bombshell leak to Toronto Star upends NAFTA talks: In secret ‘so insulting’ remarks, Trump says he isn’t compromising at all with Canada


WASHINGTON – High-stakes trade negotiations between Canada and the U.S. were dramatically upended on Friday morning by inflammatory secret remarks from President Donald Trump, after the remarks were obtained by the Toronto Star.

In remarks Trump wanted to be “off the record,” Trump told Bloomberg News reporters on Thursday, according to a source, that he is not making any compromises at all in the talks with Canada — but that he cannot say this publicly because “it’s going to be so insulting they’re not going to be able to make a deal.”

-snip-

In another remark he did not want published, Trump said, according to the source, that the possible deal with Canada would be “totally on our terms.” He suggested he was scaring the Canadians into submission by repeatedly threatening to impose tariffs.

“Off the record, Canada’s working their ass off. And every time we have a problem with a point, I just put up a picture of a Chevrolet Impala,” Trump said, according to the source. The Impala is produced at the General Motors plant in Oshawa, Ontario.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2018/08/31/bombshell-leak-to-toronto-star-upends-nafta-talks-in-secret-so-insulting-remarks-trump-says-he-isnt-compromising-at-all-with-canada.html

---

Editing to add that Daniel Dale's thread on the quotes in his article starts here:

Link to tweet

The 4th tweet in that thread:

Link to tweet

What happened: I obtained these quotes. I'm not bound by Bloomberg's "off the record" promises. I asked the White House and the Trudeau team for comment. The Trudeau team, which is certain the quotes are accurate, sprung them on Trump's team at the meeting this morning.

[lark]

1. PUtin told him England, Germany and Canada were his true enemies and to destroy them.

drumpf being the compliant ignorant puppet of PUtin, is of course following orders.

[erlewyne]

28. My head is spinning

How can this P.O.S. going to last another week?
The G.O.P.ers are accomplices I am becoming a racist
(what race is the G.O.P,? they are not American).
No kidding, I am going to kick Republicans out
of my life.

All Democrats are welcome.

EW

[OAITW r.2.0]

76. The entire GOP is as compromised as Trump.

The money trail for campaign funding shows how much dark $ Republicans have taken from Russia. Perhaps they really didn't give it much thought went it came rolling in from various PACs, but they have been on Putin's payroll since the early/mid 2000's. But they are totally in bed with Trump. A bed that Putin has made for them.

[Honeycombe8]

65. Trump is a good comrade.

They will reward him for his loyalty. If he fails, he had better keep watching out for poison in his food.

[RVN VET71]

73. His food IS poison, long term.

And if anyone actually tries to doctor his food, it'll be Rasputin all over again.

Evil protects its own.

[Cha]

70. France? putin wants to destroy America and Fraud is helping

him do it.

Took awhile for more people to GET WOKE.

[awesomerwb1]

2. What a petty and incompetent

stinky POS he is.

[packman]

3. A Thug -

Hope Canada tells him to go to hell - he just wants the world to burn

[mahatmakanejeeves]

4. Daniel Dale on Twitter:

NAFTA BOMBSHELL: The Star has obtained inflammatory secret comments about Canada that Trump made "off the record" yesterday, and they have upended the talks this morning:

Link to tweet

[unblock]

5. what a sh*tshow!

he's incompetent, he hires incompetent people, and he creates and environment of incompetence.

it's astounding that "the apprentice" held out working for this disaster as something people would actually want to compete for.

[cabot]

6. As a Canadian, I'm furious

I hope Chrystia Freeland tells the US delegation to go to hell.

And I'm pissed at a significant portion of the American public who foisted this asshole upon all of us.

[Freethinker65]

11. As an American, I apologize. I did not vote for Trump, but I apologize. I love Canada.

[cabot]

12. Thanks...no apologies necessary

I just don't understand why this piece of shit finds it amusing to play these stupid games. I'm just hoping our side doesn't cave. I'm scared that they will, and then this idiot will feel empowered.

[sarge43]

41. He plays these games because he's a bully

If Canada stays strong, like all bullies, he will back down. Bullies are cowards.

Just remember the majority of Americans did not vote for that vulgarian. We were robbed.

I love you all. Born and bred in Michigan, Canadians weren't foreigners; you're neighbors, friends and family (Canadian born grandfather). Further, I'm proud to say I served with Canadians.

Hang in there. We'll get through this shit storm together.

[mahina]

64. He is trying to break our strongest ties and hurt this country.

I just pray the damage is repairable.

He is definitely not acting in the interests of the American people. Consistently the opposite.

[Cha]

71. I think because putin wants to destroy America.

How's he doing?

[OMGWTF]

47. We are so sorry! In my next life I'm going to be Canadian.

I want to live in a beautiful, bountiful, safe country full of nice, healthy, smart, aware people. Traitor Tot and the Rethuglican party have turned the USA into a shithole country filled with raging, dangerous, ignorant assholes.

[gopiscrap]

58. me too

[Le Gaucher]

27. As an American .. I wish to donate Donald Trump to your hungry bears off the Arctic

Just drop him butt naked next to a Hungry mama bear with cubs

[DDySiegs]

38. So, You Want to Poison the Bears?

[efhmc]

49. That gave me a good chuckle.

Thanks.

[NastyRiffraff]

31. I share your hope

Not that Trump is teachable, but if the Canadian delegation makes it clear they're not going to fall for his bullshit, maybe others in the U.S. delegation will get the point.

I can't express how much Trump is hated by the majority of Americans. Nevertheless, we're sorry for the shit he's dumping on the rest of the world, particularly our good neighbor, Canada.

[lark]

35. Everyone who is a thinking feeling person has a beef against drumpf.

I am so very sorry that Canada is on his shit list, as an American, it's really beyond belief, but oh very unfortunately true. Canada and the USA have stood side by side for hundreds of years and this is now being torn apart by the PUtin puppet. He is a total embarrassment to our country and a threat to us and the entire democratic world, unfortunately including you. The RW has been working really really hard to turn us into an oligarchy and now that Russia is part of that, they've gotten about 30-36% of Americans believing total lies. However, those asses are not anywhere near a majority, and are disliked by most Americans. Please don't hate America, most of us love your country and are so angry over the damage being done by the flaming orange anus. Realize that the rich, through their tool drumpf, have staged a coup working with an extremely hostile foreign power. 60% of us hate him and will hopefully take back at least one of the branches of our government so we can stop his worst actions and protect us and the world.

Oh yeah, we - the true Americans - are also really pissed at the ignorant, misogynistic, racist haters and despicable deplorables who cling to drumpf out of hate.

[pazzyanne]

37. Actually the majority of Americans did not vote for tRump.

Hillary Clinton won the popular vote, the Electoral College gave tRump the presidency. Canada has my apologies as well. We are looking for a way to right this wrong that has been foisted upon the world. Canada is respected by most Americans. We experience shame on a daily basis over tRump's actions/ inactions. We will fight until the POS in the White House is gone!

[wryter2000]

52. So sorry this POS is in charge

Canada is our sister. We love you. Millions more of us voted for the real winner, Hillary Clinton.

We will get this bastard out of office. With any luck, he'll take the rest of the Republican party with him.

[muriel_volestrangler]

7. Could be Trump just thinking this would impress the Bloomberg reporters

If he thought they would keep it off the record, then he'd freely lie just to paint the picture he wants of him as a "tough" negotiator. He may be fantasizing about how he would negotiate, and how in his mind they would react.

The question of whether Trump is actually involved in the negotiations at all is an open one. Since he's ignorant about trade, it's quite possible the US negotiators do all they can to keep him out of the loop. But he may insist on getting to say something occasionally to keep his ego preened. Whether that's been enough to sink the talks, who can tell?

[Lobo27]

8. Let's just piss off two of our closest allies

The idiocy of the administration has no bounds. So we want Canada to say no, and well Mexico is getting a new President that could nix it all. I mean come on....

[Achilleaze]

9. republicans weakening America's economy by following...

the obscene whims of Dirty Donny, the republicans Draft-Dodger-in-Chief.

Unfit for command. Sad for America.

[SWBTATTReg]

17. Absolutely and they are no where to be seen. Cowards and traitors all of them! Man, if this is ...

how we treat our allies I sure don't want to see how rump treats our enemies.

What a dumb ass (rump

I am angry that he's treated one of my most favorite places on earth this way (and they have given no one reason or cause to, being that they've been one of top allies)...

[Achilleaze]

19. The reason: Canada tends to be honest and decent

The republican draft-dodging casino hustler cannot stand that because it contrasts so sharply with his own degenerate & repugnant republican family-values.

[SWBTATTReg]

23. You said it!! Take care...nt

[luvtheGWN]

50. I've thought all along that he's

insanely jealous of Justin and all that he stands for (honour, justice, admitting Syrian refugees etc.). We know that tRump lives for revenge, and this is his revenge.

[Paladin]

10. "Off The Record" my ass. trump wanted these comments out in the open. (nt)

[Demit]

13. That's what I think. Also it gives him another way to slag the press, for supposedly

not honoring the off the record thing and being out to get him.

[LuckyLib]

42. Plus it allows him to throw one more distraction

out there to keep the shit show spinning. A dysfunctional pResident who is clearly mentally ill and in decline sits in the WH and spends hours watching television and Tweeting.
Along with millions of Americans, I’m angry, stressed, and appalled that we are in this place.

[FakeNoose]

45. Of course he does - I wish the media weren't such patsies to play his game

Cheeto is always looking for ways to stir up controversy and make it all about him.
The news reporters should know better by now.

[Fritz Walter]

59. Indeed!

Having spent much of my career in corporate communications (after earning a Bachelors Degree in Journalism), one thing was for certain: if you tell a responsible reporter anything “off the record,” it was certain to end up in her/his story. You could count on it.

[world wide wally]

14. Here's something to keep in mind, Donnie...

Most Americans will side with Canada

[Bernardo de La Paz]

25. Especially when you consider the ripple effects of damage to the US economy. . . . nt

[paleotn]

62. Yep

US business sells a hell of a lot of goods and services in Canada. I would hope the monied interests will finally put a stop to this shit by giving their rethuglican toadies an ultimatum. I can’t believe I’m siding with the ole monied interests. Dumpster makes strange bed fellows

[PatSeg]

15. Petty little Donald is jealous of Justin Trudeau

and hasn't gotten over being rebuked at the G7 summit. He will take his vendettas to the grave.

[matt819]

16. Every ally should cease all negotiations with the US

Every ally negotiating with the US on anything should stop. Walk away.

The US cannot be trusted. Maybe some day in the future, but not now. So, just stop.

Everything Trump says publicly is a lie, and most of what he says privately is a lie. USG agencies are lying.

Our erstwhile allies need to call the US on the carpet on, well, on everything. Denying passports to American citizens. Racism. Bigotry. Tariffs. International trade. No more cooperation any anything, including intelligence. No more special relationship.

Tell the US to fuck off until it learns how to behave or until a Democrat is in the White House.

[2naSalit]

22. Sadly, I agree with this sentiment...nt

[grantcart]

57. And recall their ambassadors

[ancianita]

18. There is NO ART to this kind of all-or-nothing negotiating. I'm with matt819.

[forgotmylogin]

68. This is what we get with a huffy and spoiled "dealmaker" president.

Politics is about negotiating what's best for people all around.

Red Don doesn't even do this. Mr. Art of The Deal's method is to say what he wants and then bloviate if everyone else doesn't agree.

[Botany]

20. How does this help the Russians?

n/t

[cp]

21. Dear Canada, We are so very sorry. Love, America

[Docreed2003]

24. I suppose Trump thinks this makes him look "tough"

Newsflash Donnie, no one is impressed with assholes

[truthisfreedom]

26. The artless dumbass.

Of course next we hear “Fake News! Enemy of the People!” Which translates to enemy of the poopiehead.

[Squinch]

29. And let's none of us forget that this came from trump. That means its a pack of lies.

Nothing of the sort is going on, and he is making no progress whatsoever.

[B Stieg]

30. Most people put "a foot in their mouths"

But our current President* has somehow figured out how to get his big, fat buttocks into his own slobbering yaw.

Winning!

Impeach AND Indict!

[1cheapbeemr]

32. It's because Trudeau trolled Trump at the G7

Gave him that framed print of Trump's grandfather's brothel - the foundation of the family pile.

[Chakaconcarne]

33. NPR reported this morning that the Mexico Nafta deal is just TPP rewritten

[Racerdog1]

34. This Piece Of Shit tRump

Nothing but a fucking shit stain not only on the US but the world as well.

[dalton99a]

36. He is a clear and present danger.

[slumcamper]

39. ECONOMIC TERRORISM

by a cadre of tyrants who have cultivated a coalition of the wicked.

This is dystopia in real-time.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

40. Stupid tRump has given Canadians good reason to stand firm. "Everything we offered tRump rejected".

I do not expect an agreement by midnight tonight, unless the US side caves on the key Canadian points: dispute resolution and no stupid sunset clause.

There already is a good dispute resolution system.

Creating a 5 year sunset clause is a deal-breaker because business does not want that kind of uncertainty. Build an automobile plant on the basis that in 5 years it will be a money-sink? No way. Takes a year for a business to plan a big plant, a year for approvals and tax concessions (giveaways), a year for construction. That leaves 2 years for operation even if you start on day one. No big plant makes back its cost in 2 years or less.

[NurseJackie]

43. That "all-or-nothing" and "no-compromise" extremism has a very familiar ring to it.

That "all-or-nothing" and "no-compromise" extremism has a very familiar ring to it. I'm sure it will be just as effective and productive now as it has been all the other times it's been tried.

Lordy. What fools!

[tanyev]

44. The Shart of the Deal.

[Steven Maurer]

46. Meanwhile, NPR - which has become almost entirely right-wing propaganda pitched to liberals...

...is saying that the "silence" coming out of the talks is "good news".

[Mr. Ected]

48. A lot of Americans wanted a CEO in Washington instead of a president

They ended up getting neither.

[dchill]

51. I'm sorry, but don't we have a Congress somewhere?

[wryter2000]

54. Clearly we don't.

There are rational Republicans in the Senate, if not the House. They have to stand up.

[OAITW r.2.0]

77. The "good republicans" could stop this slide into dictatorship in its tracks...

simply by joining the Democrats or becoming Independent. Why haven't they? Because I think they are truly afraid of the consequences for themselves and/or their families.

[Sneederbunk]

53. Incompetence on the hoof.

[meadowlander]

55. If Trump hates anonymous sources so much, this is what every news outlet he has ever talked to

should do.

[Nitram]

56. Foreign policy directed by a sadistic bully? What could go wrong?

[Sancho]

60. tRump is a moron with a personality disorder...

and also a crook.

[Snellius]

61. Life Rule #1: If you have a real secret, don't tell anyone. Anyone! Ever!

Learned this one the hard way. Too many times. For some reason secrets are like caged birds. They can't wait to get out. Trump, of course, has the self-control of a two-year-old who prematurely ejaculates whatever's in his head.

[riversedge]

63. The president confirms my reporting about his secret remarks is accurate:*****

Trump is nothing but vile.


Daniel Dale
‏Verified account @ddale8
43m43 minutes ago

The president confirms my reporting about his secret remarks is accurate:

Link to tweet

[suffragette]

74. Trump's tweet also confirms he's not involved in negotiations since he writes "At least Canada knows

where I stand!”

That’s a complete contrast to the image of himself slapping up a photo of an Impala at every opportunity.

He has no more to do with these negotiations than he did with those in North Korea other than to talk tough, muck them up and claim victory no matter the outcome.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

66. I'm glad it leaked to Trudeau, before any "deal" happens.

Be a shame if something happened to your auto factory....

[Demonaut]

67. he did it on purpose to set up the media, more fake news to bludgeon us with

[muriel_volestrangler]

69. Nafta: US-Canada trade talks break up without a deal

Talks between the US and Canada about amending the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta) have ended for the week without reaching a deal.

US officials said they would meet their Canadian counterparts again next week in an effort to reach agreement.
...
The White House had faced a Friday deadline to provide Congress with the necessary 90 days' notice that it intended to enter into a new trade agreement and still have the new Nafta deal signed by 1 December, the day Mexico's new left-wing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador takes office.
...
Dairy in particular appeared to be an issue on Friday, with US officials saying Canada had made no concessions on agriculture and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau saying he was standing firm on the issue.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-45375178

[Mc Mike]

72. Hey, twitler: Canada -- 10th ranked world economy. Russia --13th ranked world economy.

Last edited Sat Sep 1, 2018, 04:28 PM - Edit history (1)

Canada -- 2nd rank US trade partner. Russia -- 30th ranked US trade partner.


Wall St. is sure to react well to you fixing the world trade economy for the US.

[ck4829]

75. Kick