Justin Trudeau, Theresa May pledge cooperation on Boeing, post-Brexit trade

Canada’s free trade deal with the European Union, which comes into effect on Thursday, will form the basis for a swift transition to a post-Brexit trading relationship between Canada and the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his British counterpart, Theresa May, suggested Monday.

Trudeau and May spoke to reporters after a late-morning meeting on Parliament Hill, where a dispute between Montreal-based Bombardier and U.S. aerospace giant Boeing was also on the agenda.

The two leaders told reporters they agreed to transition the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the European Union and Canada after the U.K. leaves the EU and is no longer a party to that agreement.

May said her government will be putting together a “working group” with Canada on a new trade deal, with CETA as the basis.

Trudeau said there could be details that could be approved that are particular to the relationship between Canada and the U.K.

• U.S. trade commission will proceed with Bombardier investigation
• Boeing refusing to blink in dispute with Bombardier despite Liberal threats
• Canada, U.K. step up pressure on Boeing to resolve dispute over Bombardier

The two leader also discussed their joint interest in resolving the aerospace trade dispute, in which Boeing alleges Canadian government subsidies to Bombardier led to a deal to sell 75 jets to Delta Airlines for a lower price.

Bombardier is both a major Canadian company and a significant employer in Northern Ireland, with 5,000 workers in Belfast making up about 10 per cent of the area’s manufacturing jobs.

Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said last week the two countries are working together on the issue to protect jobs in both countries, while May talked to U.S. President Donald Trump about the issue last month.

Maysaid Monday she’ll reiterate Bombardier’s importance to Northern Ireland to Trump later this week.

Trudeau said Canada will continue to stand up for jobs against “unwarranted actions” by Boeing that are in its own “narrow interest,” not the principle of open trade.

“We won’t do business with a company that’s trying to sue us,” Trudeau said of Canada’s potential purchase of Boeing fighter jets. 

Trudeau issues ultimatum to Boeing on Super Hornets0:42

A preliminary decision from the U.S. Commerce Department on the dispute is expected next week. The final decision, which is still months away, could include financial penalties.

The two prime ministers are also having a working dinner tonight.

Trudeau’s office said last week the two leaders would discuss innovation, climate change and gender equality during May’s quick visit.

It also promised talks on security, which was before Friday’s bomb attack on a London subway that injured 30 people.

The two leaders are visiting an Ottawa high school this afternoon for an event linked to the Invictus Games for wounded military veterans that starts this weekend in Toronto.

Trudeau will also go to the first Question Period in the House of Commons since the summer break, while May has set up a business roundtable with “major Canadian investors into the U.K.” including the CEOs of SNC Lavelin, the Royal Bank of Canada and Bombardier.

Trudeau welcomes May to Canada2:22

Article source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/justin-trudeau-theresa-may-meeting-1.4294515?cmp=rss