The flurry of Canadian cabinet members visiting Washington continued apace Wednesday as Finance Minister Bill Morneau dropped in on a U.S. capital awash in policy debates with big implications for America’s northern neighbour.<\/p>\n
Morneau called it a getting-to-know-you session so the Canadian government can have the lines of communication ready as the Trump administration settles on wide-reaching policies involving tax reform and trade.<\/p>\n
He arrived at the U.S. Treasury right beside the White House and was greeted by his counterpart, Steve Mnuchin, who welcomed Morneau as his first visiting finance minister since taking office.<\/p>\n
“I’m honoured that I’m doing this with you,” the new U.S. treasury secretary said. “There’s a long history between our countries. I look forward to working very closely with you.”<\/p>\n
The two countries have much to discuss.<\/p>\n
The U.S. is beginning discussions on a once-in-a-generation tax reform that could affect Canada in significant ways \u2014 with lower corporate rates in the U.S. and a border tax both under consideration.<\/p>\n
But the reforms are being hotly debated.<\/p>\n
Questions about tax and health changes seized the attention of American lawmakers before they could even begin the discussion about another idea important to Canada: the future of the North American Free Trade Agreement.<\/p>\n
The files may all be connected. Some analysts believe NAFTA talks can’t get serious until there’s clarity on the import-tax idea, and the White House says it doesn’t even want to settle on a tax plan before it knows what health policy might replace Obamacare.<\/p>\n
With all that uncertainty, Morneau described his meeting more as personal bridge-building than policy-making. He said he didn’t delve into Canadian objections to the border-tax idea, which has strong pockets of opposition within Congress and the administration itself.<\/p>\n
“We spoke broadly about our objectives,” Morneau said.<\/p>\n
“When he spoke about tax reform, he did not go into specifics…. At this stage, without details, it’s not a time for us to express support, or opposition, or even insights into the impact on the Canadian economy.<\/p>\n
“Our goal right now is to develop a strong relationship, so that as Secretary Mnuchin and his colleagues are considering actions, we’ll have the ability to talk about those actions.”<\/p>\n
As part of that relationship-building, Morneau said he offered to share details of Canada’s experience with one of President Donald Trump’s stated priorities: using private funding to build public infrastructure. He said his U.S. counterpart expressed an interest in learning more.<\/p>\n
Trump mentioned several Canadian policies during his speech to Congress this week. One involved copying aspects of Canada’s skills-based immigration system. He also spoke about private financing for his massive, $1 trillion infrastructure idea.<\/p>\n
It’s part of a policy agenda that’s big on promises, small on details.<\/p>\n
On Capitol Hill, there’s confusion and some frustration that the White House keeps declaring ambitious goals, insists that they be met in a popular way, and doesn’t articulate specifics regarding the hard decisions.<\/p>\n
That’s caused some uncertainty about whether NAFTA negotiations can even get started while the country is still sorting out its import-export policies in the nascent debate over tax reform.<\/p>\n
Mark Warner, a Canada-U.S. trade lawyer based in Toronto, said he can’t see how NAFTA talks get started now: “In my opinion they can’t get started on NAFTA until they have sorted out the border adjustment tax.”<\/p>\n
Some American lawmakers also expect a slow start on NAFTA, for other reasons.<\/p>\n
Chris Collins, a New York Republican who was the congressional liaison for the Trump transition team, said he believes the United States trade representative needs to be confirmed before Trump sends his 90-day notice to Congress that trade talks are starting.<\/p>\n
“I think you need your trade rep (first),” he said.<\/p>\n
But that same trade representative is embroiled in complications regarding his nomination. When asked whether that means the NAFTA process might not begin for months, Collins replied: “Yup.”<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the Canadians keep coming.<\/p>\n
As Morneau completed his second Washington visit since mid-February, one of his cabinet colleagues was arriving. Marc Garneau arrived in Washington for meetings related to his transportation portfolio, and as head of Ottawa’s Canada-U.S. cabinet committee.<\/p>\n
Article source: http:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/news\/politics\/mnuchin-secretary-morneau-minister-1.4005229?cmp=rss<\/a>\r\n<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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