MNI BRIEF: Trump Backing Off Trade Wars- Ex Canada Negotiator

President Donald Trump is being swayed by negative reaction from financial markets and the business community to his trade wars meaning Canada will regain normal relations according to Steve Verheul, who served as Canada’s top trade negotiator when the USMCA was created.

“We are already seeing signs of President Trump backing down,” Verheul said Thursday at a Public Policy Forum talk in Toronto. He cited Trump's several pauses on tariff implementation and recent reports of misgivings around tariffs on China and Canada's auto industry. "It’s going to be a difficult negotiation, but I think we will have duty free trade” between Canada and the U.S., he said. 

Former Canada ambassador to the U.S.David MacNaughton expressed doubts during the panel talks, saying “A deal isn’t necessarily a deal with Donald Trump as we’ve seen.” (See: MNI: Canada Will Struggle To Wean Off U.S. Trade Dependence)