NAFTA: the leader of the conservatives will promote free trade in Washington

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The leader of the conservatives, Andrew Scheer

QMI agency

Tuesday, January 9, 2018 20:13

UPDATE
Tuesday, January 9, 2018 20:15

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OTTAWA | as we approach the sixth round of renegotiation of NAFTA, the leader of the official opposition will be heading to the United States next week to promote free trade with Canada.

The leader of the conservatives Andrew Scheer will be in Washington for a few days, in the company of his chief deputy, Lisa Raitt, his spokesman on agriculture, Luc Berthold, and its spokesman in matters of international trade, Dean Allison.

The exact dates for the move have not yet been confirmed.

The trip aims to defend the jobs related to the free trade Agreement north american (NAFTA). It has been organized in concert with the ministry of foreign Affairs, which has identified several stakeholders that the conservative delegates could meet.

“We want to work in the same direction as the government in this folder, wear a single message,” said the spokesperson of the chief curator, Virginia Bonneau.

The canadian government has been carrying out since the beginning of the year a transaction of charm with Americans.

The minister of foreign Affairs, asked by chrystia Freeland, met Tuesday, the Commerce secretary, Wilbur Ross, to Washington. This meeting occurs a few days after travel of the minister of Agriculture, Lawrence MacCaulay, Tennessee, and the public Safety minister, Ralph Goodale, Kentucky.

The sixth round of renegotiation of NAFTA to be held in Montreal from 23 to 28 January. Of high-profile disputes exist between the parties to the table, Canada and Mexico accusing both the United States of being too demanding in its requests.

Washington has among others called for the abolition of the system of supply management in Canada and a drastic increase of u.s. content in the automotive sector.