Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has expressed support for cutting Mexico out of the trilateral free trade agreement with Canada and the United States. Smith believes that Canada should prioritize its trade relationship with the United States, citing the importance of energy exports from Alberta. Ontario Premier Doug Ford also supports the idea of a bilateral agreement between Canada and the U.S. excluding Mexico.
The potential exclusion of Mexico from the trade agreement has raised concerns about Chinese investment in Mexico’s economy. While Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sees Mexico as a valuable trading partner, there are worries about the country’s economic ties with China. Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland has acknowledged concerns raised by the U.S. about Mexico’s economic relationship with China.
Former Canadian diplomat Derek Burney cautioned against a Canadian push to exclude Mexico from the agreement, calling such a move “childish.” Burney believes Canada should focus on strengthening its relationship with the U.S. and seek areas of collaboration such as energy and minerals. He also emphasized the importance of increased defense spending for Canada to be taken seriously in negotiations.
Overall, the discussions around potentially excluding Mexico from the trade agreement highlight the complexities and challenges involved in managing economic relationships within North America. Smith’s stance, along with other political figures, reflects the shifting dynamics in regional trade partnerships.
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