United States Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross says Canada is not a national security threat to the United States.
That’s a direct contradiction with President Donald Trump, who appointed Ross.
Trump imposed a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian steel and 10 per cent on aluminum, saying the tariffs are needed because of a security threat.
He only has authority to impose tariffs if the imports are a security threat.
Ross also testified during a Senate hearing that a revitalized North American Free Trade Agreement could make the Trump administration’s tariffs on steel and aluminum go away.
Mr. Ross also acknowledged Wednesday that the U.S. doesn’t have a trade deficit on steel with Canada, contradicting Trump on another point.
In fact, he said it has a surplus with its northern neighbour in terms of dollar value.
