Republican lawmakers in the U.S. Congress are standing behind President Donald Trump in his trade dispute with Canada, placing blame on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s administration for withdrawing from negotiations. A group of GOP House members convened at the Capitol for a private meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Trump’s main trade advisor on tariffs.
Despite some GOP members privately worrying about potential negative impacts on their re-election chances in the upcoming midterms, those who spoke with CBC News after the meeting generally expressed solidarity with the president’s trade policies. Texas Republican August Pfluger commended Trump for bringing back manufacturing jobs to the U.S. and accused Ottawa of perpetuating the trade conflict. Brian Mast, a Congressman from Florida, also faulted Canada for the breakdown in trade discussions.
Following the closed-door meeting, Greer refrained from commenting on the status of negotiations with Canada. Meanwhile, at the White House, Trump reiterated his stance that Canada has historically exploited the U.S. in trade relations. He specifically pointed out restrictions imposed by Canada on American banks operating in the country as a major concern.
On the legislative front, South Carolina Representative Ralph Norman raised concerns about the trade war’s impact on voters’ cost of living. Norman highlighted the importance of addressing affordability issues related to tariffs and other economic factors. Despite public opinion polls showing disapproval of Trump’s tariffs, several Congressional Republicans defended his stance on the trade conflict with Canada, echoing his arguments.
Missouri Congressman Eric Burlison warned against Canada imposing retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports, emphasizing the economic leverage of the United States over its northern neighbor. The overall sentiment among Republican lawmakers aligns with supporting Trump’s trade policies, despite differing views on the potential repercussions on the economy and upcoming elections.