What happened
A senior White House trade adviser has told Canadian lobbyists that their efforts to influence US policy will no longer be effective. Peter Navarro, a longtime trade adviser to US President Donald Trump, made the comments at the American Growth Summit in Washington, stating that Canada's past success in lobbying is over.
Navarro warned Canadian lobbyists to leave the US, saying that their lobbying efforts would no longer be tolerated. He also warned of repercussions for Canada if it interferes in the upcoming US midterm elections.
The comments come as US import bans on certain Canadian goods, including alcoholic beverages, dairy products, and motorcycles, have come into effect. The bans were announced by President Trump on September 8, citing discriminatory practices by Canada.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the measures were intended as a response to Canada's provincial restrictions on American alcohol sales, Canada's dairy supply management system, and Canadian tariffs on US autos. Ottawa has maintained that Washington's measures violate the free-trade provisions of the United States-Canada-Mexico Agreement.
President Trump has said that he believes a trade deal with Canada is likely in the near future, but it would have to be a fair deal. Navarro has described Canada as the most difficult and arrogant country on trade negotiations, saying that they cheat the US on almost everything.
