Tory members of House trade committee call for emergency meeting on tariffs
Escalation of U.S. trade war prompts call for House international trade committee to reconvene
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OTTAWA — As Parliament slumbers for the summer, recent escalations in the U.S. trade war against Canada prompted members of a House of Commons committee to call for an emergency reconvening.
In the letter to Humber River—Black Creek MP Judy Sgro, chair of the House Standing Committee on International Trade, six Conservative MPs urged her to recall the committee to address the latest threats by U.S. President Donald Trump to impose 35% tariffs on Canada beginning Aug. 1.
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“If the prime minister is briefing premiers this week, it would be reasonable to give a little more information to Parliament and Canadians, especially since Parliament has to review any deal,” Tory international trade critic Adam Chambers told the Toronto Sun.
“And most importantly, provide a forum for employers, workers and industries that are affected to provide more details about how the current situation is affecting them.”
The letter, signed by Chambers and five others, describes Trump’s latest salvo as another unjustified attack on Canadian workers and the economy, saying the tariffs will inflict harm on both sides of the border.
“President Trump’s tariff announcement is the latest in a growing list of trade-related actions unfairly targeting Canada,” the letter says, adding the committee needs to examine unresolved U.S. measures, including those impacting the Canadian steel, aluminum, copper and energy industries.
“We believe the committee can play a meaningful role in guiding the government’s response and in offering Canadians a clear understanding of the negotiation status.”
Trade-exposed businesses, the letter says, deserve the opportunity to share how the trade war is impacting them, particularly since the Carney Liberals have yet to provide such an opportunity since adjourning an abbreviated spring session of Parliament.
“Canadians are rightfully concerned about their livelihoods and they deserve a full and honest account of the government’s strategy and progress to reliver on that promise.”
bpassifiume@postmedia.com
X: @bryanpassifiume
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