Multinationals defend Canada-US free trade
Canadian and US-based multinationals, in a defense of free trade, urged President Donald Trump on Wednesday to effectively treat Canada as the 51st American state by aligning policies on energy, product standards, trade and other matters.
The list of suggestions for the White House was published by the Canadian American Business Council (CABC) ahead of the expected renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) demanded by Trump.
Protectionist rhetoric from the White House has spooked businesspeople on both sides of the border who rely on the unfettered movement of goods and workers to turn profits.
A Trump adviser this week sought to reassure Ottawa, saying trade actions would largely target China and Mexico, but not Canada.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that when he meets with Trump -- a meeting both sides have said will happen "soon" -- he would highlight Canada's status as the top export destination for 35 US states.
The CABC, a Washington-based nonprofit, is directed by executives of North America's top companies, including Air Canada, Barrick Gold, Coca-Cola, ExxonMobil, Facebook, Ford, GE, Google and Lockheed Martin.
In a statement, the business group called on Trump to align US regulations with Canada's; mutually recognize product standards, testing and certification, and further integrate the North American energy market.
Notably, the group's proposals exclude Mexico, which Trump has assailed for alleged unfair trade practices.
The CABC also proposed refining Trump's "Buy America" procurement policy into "Buy US/Canada," enhancing security arrangements to hasten cross-border movement of goods, and updating rules on the movement of workers, notably in information technology.
And it noted that settling a longstanding softwood lumber dispute between the two nations would go a long way toward mollifying Canadians.