I Predict TPP will go through, Trudeau stalls for the media attention

Canada’s decision to decline TPP agreement shouldn’t have been a surprise: Trudeau

Trudeau said Saturday that despite some significant progress on the deal’s framework there’s still more work to be done, particularly when it comes to protecting Canada’s auto and cultural sectors.

Justin Trudeau says Canada declining to sign an agreement-in-principle on the Trans-Pacific Partnership should not have been a surprise. On Saturday, the prime minister said finalizing the trade deal will “take the time it takes.” (The Canadian Press)

By ANDY BLATCHFORDThe Canadian Press

Sat., Nov. 11, 2017

DANANG, VIETNAM—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says it shouldn’t have come as a surprise to anyone when Canada declined to sign an agreement-in-principle Friday on an updated Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal.

Trudeau said Saturday in Vietnam that despite some significant progress on the deal’s framework there’s still more work to be done, particularly when it comes to protecting Canada’s auto and cultural sectors.

His decision Friday to keep negotiating for a better deal in the 11-country pact rather than striking an agreement led to the abrupt cancellation of a TPP leaders’ meeting on the sidelines of a summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation.

Read more: Canada won’t be rushed into signing revived TPP, Trudeau says in Vietnam

11 nations, including Canada, reach agreement on ‘core elements’ of TPP

The move prompted international headlines because foreign media reports had predicted TPP partners would reach an agreement when they gathered for the APEC event in Danang.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has argued he sent signals all week that Canada would not close the TPP treaty unless it was right for Canadians.  (ADRIAN WYLD / THE CANADIAN PRESS)  

But Trudeau argued he sent signals all week that Canada would not close the TPP treaty unless it was right for Canadians.

“We were not going to be rushed into a deal,” Trudeau told reporters at his closing APEC news conference before heading to Philippines for a Sunday summit of southeast Asian leaders.