Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland: "Canada does not believe that ad hominem attacks are a particularly appropriate or useful way to conduct our relations with other countries."
Freeland repeats that the U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs are "illegal," says Canada is retaliating in "sorrow," not in anger; tariffs are "perfectly reciprocal," dollar-for-dollar"; Canada is "very measured" on trade. "We use fact-based arguments," she says.
Freeland's manner is rather different than Kudlow's and Navarro's.
Asked about Navarro's "special place in hell" remark about Trudeau, Freeland pauses and says, "Canada does not conduct its diplomacy through ad hominem attacks. We don't think that that is a useful or productive way to do business."
Freeland continues: "And perhaps we refrain particularly from ad hominem attacks when it comes to our relationships with our allies." Says the real insult, though, comes from being targeted by such unjustified tariffs from a close ally.
NAFTA: Freeland says she had a good meeting with Lighthizer, talking again this afternoon. "When it comes to our negotiating approach, we always bring fact-based arguments to the table. We are always reasonable...always prepared to talk...that's the Canadian way."
Freeland directly addressing Canadians: "I am really confident...at the end of the day, common sense will prevail. And, you know, the fact that we're united right now is going to help us to get there."
In summary: Freeland offered measured criticism of the Trump team's insult pile-on, but she repeatedly attempted to turn the focus back to the inappropriateness and insultingness of the Trump tariffs, which she said is the core issue here.
