By Dana Reynolds

Hoback ‘concerned’ about trading with President Trump

Jan 24, 2017 | 12:02 PM

The waiting might just be the hardest part.

MP Randy Hoback, from the federal riding of Prince Albert, said President Donald Trump made many promises during his election campaign. But which ones he ultimately intends to keep, keeps trade relations between Canada and the U.S. slightly uncomfortable.

“I think the unknown is just concerning to a lot of people,” the official opposition critic for Canada/U.S. relations said.

Trump’s first, perhaps most controversial, act as president is to renegotiate NAFTA. Hoback fully expects Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to protect Canadian interests and jobs, but acknowledged much has changed since the deal was established in 1994.

It was the MP’s opinion Trump’s sites were not set to the North.

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“In my visits down in the U.S., they weren’t so concerned about the trade with Canada. Our trade balance is relatively equal. They’re more concerned with the deficits they have with Mexico and China,” Hoback said.

He stopped short, however, of painting an optimistic picture. When asked whether Prince Albert and region should be worried, his response was plain.

“I think we all should be concerned. Every Canadian should be concerned because either directly or indirectly trade affects our jobs,” he said.

He mentioned softwood lumber as an example. Currently, Canada is waiting for an American decision vis-à-vis tariffs. Until this decision is made, the entire industry is in flux.

“Whether you’re in the grain sector, the oil and gas sector, manufacturing sector, either you’re buying products from the U.S. or you’re shipping products to the U.S., or a combination thereof. When you see a thickening of that border, it’s going to have an impact on how we go about doing our day to day business,” Hoback said.

The MP was recently in Washington, reminding American representatives the importance of trading with Canada.

Not only does trade create jobs, but industry supply chains rely on an open border. Hoback said auto parts manufactured in Michigan cross the Canadian border up to nine times before an entire vehicle is made.

He reiterated again, the issue seems to be with Mexico but noted any changes in trade relations could potentially have ripple effects.

Hoback’s advice to the Trudeau government, is simply “engage.”

“Just remind them. This is a very important relationship that goes back many years and we are best friends and neighbours, and we want to make sure we keep it that way,” he said.

–With files from Nigel Maxwell.
 

Dana Reynolds is paNOW’s managing editor. She can be reached at dreynolds@jpbg.ca or tweet her @danitska.