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Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland says former U.S. President Donald Trump used "bully" tactics during negotiations on a new North American free-trade agreement more than two years ago.
Freeland was asked Thursday to respond to a characterization of herself as a frustrating and difficult negotiator in a new memoir by Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner.
"When you're threatened by a bully the answer is not to cave in," she said. "The answer is to be united, and to stand strong."
She initially linked the notion to Ukraine standing up to Russian President Vladimir Putin but quickly said she wasn't trying in any way to compare the plight of Ukrainians to Canada's dealings with its biggest trading partner.
In his book Breaking History, Kushner accused Freeland of purposely stalling negotiations and speaking publicly about the talks against the wishes of the White House.
He said Canada, with Freeland at the helm, engaged in "an increasingly frustrating series of negotiations" and "refusing to commit to any substantive changes."
He was also critical of her for leaving the negotiations and holding press conferences with Canadian journalists "uttering platitudes like 'I get paid in Canadian dollars, not U.S. dollars.'"
Freeland didn't directly confront any of Kushner's assertions but said Canada's best asset in those negotiations was a united front on the talks presented by Conservative premiers and the federal Liberal government.
That united front included public statements backing the government against Trump by then-Conservative leader Andrew Scheer and Ontario Premier Doug Ford.
"Canada’s Conservatives continue to support the Prime Minister’s efforts to make the case for free trade. Divisive rhetoric and personal attacks from the US administration are clearly unhelpful.," Scheer tweeted on June 10, 2018.
That came after Trump called Trudeau "very dishonest and weak."
"We will stand shoulder to shoulder with the Prime Minister and the people of Canada," Ford said, responding to the same insult.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 25, 2022.
Comments
I dislike Chrystia Freeland. But if she was going to get in a rumble with Jared F*&!ing Kushner, I'd back her to the hilt.
Agreed! As if Kushner is qualified to be anywhere near negotiations like that. And we now know that one of the key US negotiators, Peter Navarro, is crazy and may go to jail for his role in the attempted coup.
"one of the key US negotiators, Peter Navarro, is crazy", No question need be asked about that comment but I contend that Kushner and the rest of the US contingent of bullies are also bat s**t crazy, from the top down in that administration of false christians.
Was there ever any doubt? What's more, bullies are too often male, and more than too often, love to intimidate women. Whatever you think of Freeland, I'm proud she stood up to those patriarchal stuffed shirts.
More of us need to learn to do so....because if bullying is necessary, in all likelihood, your cause is unjust.