PM plans immediate talks with China on massive pork, canola tariffs: Kinew

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Premier Wab Kinew got a measure of reassurance for Manitoba’s jittery agricultural sector from the prime minister Friday.

Kinew and Canada’s other provincial and territorial leaders met with Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ottawa to discuss trade issues, including punishing tariffs on pork and canola imposed Thursday by China.

Carney committed to “engaging” directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the subject before Sunday’s expected federal election call, the premier said.

“I think all of us in the ag regions… as well as fishing provinces that are being hit by (China) as well, it’s an important priority,” Kinew said. “We need to show there’s a path forward here; that there’s hope for canola producers and the pork industry, for the pork processors and everyone who is dealing with uncertainty in ag right now.”

He said it’s a tricky path to navigate.

Describing the new PM as a “deal-maker,” Kinew said holding the first ministers’ meeting at the National War Museum was significant, because Canada is fighting a trade and economic war on two fronts.

“We have the Trump tariffs, which take up so much attention (and) in Manitoba those tariffs from China… are a very, very a serious threat to our economy,” he said.

The premiers discussed “projects that are nation-building in nature,” including export opportunities through the Port of Churchill, he said.

They also discussed interprovincial trade, the details of which the premier didn’t disclose. He said there was a “strong indication” from the federal government that it intends to take some action.

Kinew said he also discussed the outcome of Thursday’s Winnipeg Jets overtime victory over Carney’s hometown Edmonton Oilers. Carney, who participated in the team’s pre-game morning skate, took in the evening’s action wearing an orange-and-blue jersey.

“I cracked a joke that there’s nothing like a common adversary to unite people. I was happy to say ‘Go Jets, Go,’ so that Prime Minister Carney (and Alberta and Saskatchewan premiers) Danielle Smith and Scott Moe would all have somebody to focus their attention on,” Kinew said.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca