Hopeful News for Canadian Consumers

Interviewed just now during his visit to Ireland, Trump seems to make the Canadian “supply management” restriction on imports of dairy, chicken, and eggs the critical sticking point holding up a trade deal. This seems plausible. And hopeful. Carney perhaps did not want to drop supply management, so popular in Quebec, just before critical byelections and a critical provincial election in Quebec. He is a canny politician.

Trump also seems sanguine on the matter, expressing confidence that Canada will come to a deal soon. Perhaps Trump has been signalled that, once the elections are over, the Canadians will cut that deal. Kevin O’Leary has recently said the same. O’Leary has argued that a deal is inevitable, as neither side can afford the current high tariffs for long. It has to be all play acting for politics.

If they are both in on it, I expect a new deal sometime between October 5, the date of the Quebec election, and November 3, the date of the American midterms—giving the Republicans a bit of good news just before voting day.

I am hoping for cheaper cheese and eggs soon. And peace and amity with our American neighbours.