NAFTA showdown pits cars against cows

It’s cars versus cows.  The NAFTA showdown between Canada and the United States will pit the interests of the automotive industry and other exporters against protected sectors like dairy, telecommunications, airlines and banks, Carleton University Associate Professor Ian Lee said.“You can bet that those four industries will shamelessly invoke Canadian nationalism to protect their own greed, their own private interests,” Lee said. “They’re going to wrap themselves in the flag and say they’re doing this for Canadian identity.“The question is will the government if Canada, the Trudeau government, have the courage to take them on?” Despite what President Donald Trump said following a meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau — that the Canada-U.S. portion of the deal would be “tweaked” — the revisions will be major, he said.With about 5 million jobs dependant on exports, two-thirds of which are headed to the United States, Canadian negotiators will be determined to secure open access to American markets.Giving up that access on behalf of 12,000 well-off farmers seems unlikely.“I think it would be economic suicide for any Prime Minister to adopt such a position,” Lee said.U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross used more pointed language than his boss, telling reporters he wants “concessions” from Canada and Mexico.Ross said he expects the renegotiation o