Premier David Eby attended a virtual first ministers’ meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney on Wednesday.
But he said the meeting was overshadowed by U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent suggestion that he is not looking to renew the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
“I don’t know that I’m going to renew it,” said Trump on Wednesday.
“We don’t need that anything to Canada has, we don’t need anything that Mexico has, but they need everything that we have, and they have to treat us better,” he said.
The free-trade deal came into force in 2020 and ensures that most Canadian exports are exempt from U.S. tariffs.
CUSMA’s initial term ends in 2036, but the agreement is up for joint review this year, but a renewal deadline of July 1.
The countries can confirm they wish to continue the agreement and extend the term for another 16 years. If not, it would remain in force for the next 10 years, with annual joint reviews.
Speaking in Vancouver, Eby said it would be “a bit bizarre” if Trump doesn’t want to come to the table on CUSMA.
“To be blunt, you know, this sequel to The Art of the Deal is pretty lame,” said Eby, referring to Trump’s 1987 book. “For the main deal maker from the United States to say he’s not even interested in a deal or having the conversations is a fairly significant departure.”
Eby said it remains unclear from Trump’s comments whether he wants to renegotiate the agreement or not.
“At some point, hopefully we get a clear indication of what the United States is hoping to do from the president, so that we can just get on with the business of either doing business or renegotiating the deal.”
He said both sides should “just get on with business,” and continue with the existing CUSMA agreement, saying that would offer the most stability for B.C. businesses.
Both Canada and Mexico have formally confirmed they want to extend the deal.
