jpZelabal + 63 jj July 18, 2018 Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shuffled his cabinet on Wednesday ahead of a challenging 2019 election, stressing the need to diversify trade away from the United States while leaving key ministers in place. Polls show the ruling Liberals are facing an increasing threat from the official opposition Conservatives and Trudeau made 11 changes to freshen up his front bench. In a significant move, trade minister Francois-Philippe Champagne was promoted to the infrastructure portfolio, where he will oversee plans to spend billions of dollars on major projects. Champagne’s move will have little immediate impact on trade policy, which is dominated by the possibility of U.S. auto tariffs and the future of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland is in charge of ties with the United States, including NAFTA. Trudeau says the strains with Washington show the danger of relying so much on the United States, which takes 75 percent of all Canadian goods exports. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
damirUSBiH + 327 DD July 18, 2018 Well then he better build more pipelines to tidewater..... 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
franco + 96 FM July 18, 2018 There seems to be a spot open at the EU. Should Canada apply? 🤩 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pavel + 384 PP July 18, 2018 He bungled the NAFTA negotiations with US, so he names a new minister for international trade diversification. New names, failed ideas. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ThunderBlade + 231 TB July 18, 2018 I'm not sure that shuffling of cabinet is in direction with the U.S. It will be that opposition parties are growing and Canadians losing confidence in him. Gone soon? 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rainman + 263 July 18, 2018 "We need to ensure that we are not as dependent on the United States" - says Justin Trudeau This is less about independence and more about how they can fool voters for one more election. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pinto + 293 PZ July 18, 2018 Generally, a major part of how a Prime Minister will be judged is on how they handle relationship with closest ally and largest trading partner. According to this postulate Trudeau has failed. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rainman + 263 July 18, 2018 But Trudeau has not increased trade with even one country so far. I don't know what this guy expects on the next elections? 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites