US Senator Collins warns Carney against strengthening Canada's ties with the EU
In the United States, Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine warned Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney against strengthening economic and political ties with the European Union. In her view, Canada's rapprochement with the EU in response to US President Donald Trump's tariff policy could make it more difficult for the Carney government to reach an agreement with the US administration on tariffs and trade, CBC News reports.
Tariff negotiations
Collins, who represents a state bordering Canada, said she does not support a tariff war. She called on Canada and the United States to return to negotiations and noted that deepening Ottawa's ties with the EU would not help restore bilateral relations between the countries.
Canada accounts for approximately two-thirds of Maine's imports, while about 40% of its exports go to the Canadian market. Last week, the Trump administration announced that cement and road salt would be excluded from the list of Canadian goods subject to the new 50% tariffs. Collins said she helped secure this decision.
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Reaction in Congress
Republican Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana also spoke out against a trade war with Canada. He said such a policy is not in the interests of the United States.
Democratic Senator Chris Coons of Delaware noted that even a Democratic victory in the midterm elections in November would not allow for a swift change in the Trump administration's course. According to him, he is working to organize a bipartisan trip by US lawmakers to Canada.
Earlier the same day, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, speaking in Strasbourg in Carney's presence, said that the EU wants to open a path for Canada to obtain "associate member" status. At the same time, no such legal status currently exists in the European Union, and Canada's ambassador to the EU said the sides are still far from formalizing any arrangements.
