Canada's takeaway from Trump meeting: 'cautiously optimistic'

Canada's ambassador to Washington, who sat in on the Donald Trump-Justin Trudeau summit this week, says he's now cautiously optimistic about any forthcoming changes to the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Those conversations focused on changes that would be beneficial to both Canada and the United States, as they have done for months in talks with the White House and, before that, the Trump transition team, David MacNaughton said Wednesday.

If we're going to change it, we're going to do things that are good for both Canada and the United States. That was the spirit of the meeting," MacNaughton said in Toronto.

"I'm cautiously optimistic. I mean, you never know in these things, but I'm quite optimistic that it's going to be good for
us." 

The U.S. president concluded his meeting with Trudeau with a public declaration that the trade relationship with Canada is outstanding, suggesting he only wants a few tweaks in an upgraded NAFTA.

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Yet MacNaughton adds one word of caution: It's hard to know exactly what the new administration will ask for, because the Trump cabinet has yet to have its commerce and trade secretaries confirmed by Congress.

The confirmation process has been held up by the entrenched partisan warfare in Washington. The disarray mounted this week amid calls for an investigation into connections between Russian intelligence and the Trump campaign.

The key players on the NAFTA file are also cooling their heels — Commerce pick Wilbur Ross and United States Trade Representative nominee Robert Lighthizer are both awaiting news on their confirmation.

MacNaughton used a sports metaphor to describe the one-sided nature of the current trade conversation, between a full Canadian government and a partly staffed administration: "It's a bit of shadowboxing right now."

He expressed optimism in another area. He hopes there will be a beneficial resolution to differences over so-called "Buy American" restrictions on foreign companies competing for U.S. infrastructure projects; the countries issued a statement after the Trudeau-Trump meeting that included a vague reference to working together on construction.

But some observers say it's way too early to celebrate. 

"I think the initial Canadian reaction on Monday was a bit too exuberant," said Toronto trade lawyer Mark Warner.
"The bottom line is that it all depends on what (Trump) means by 'tweak'... I think it was just a placeholder. Canada wants answers faster than he can give."

Opening Pandora's Box

If Trump wants significant changes to NAFTA, he needs to go through Congress. And that process includes a public consultation where the U.S. government receives input from American companies on ideal negotiating positions.

A number of U.S. companies have already voiced gripes about Canadian trade practices. Annual U.S. government reports regularly list grievances related to things like restrictions on milk, cheese and poultry imports; controls of what liquor gets sold, and where; Canada's tighter duty-free rules; limits on foreign competition in the telecommunications and broadcast sector.

It's hard for anyone — including Trump — to pre-emptively promise just minor tweaks, Warner said. 

If NAFTA gets reopened, he said: "I think that means opening Pandora's Box."