Canada could delay ratification of new NAFTA until U.S. metals tariffs are lifted: Garneau

Transport Minister MarcGarneau said today the federal government isn't ruling out delaying Canada's ratification of the new North American free trade pact until after the U.S. lifts controversial tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.

Garneau, who chairs the cabinet committee onCanada-U.S. relations, saidholding back on ratifyingthe Canada-United-States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) would create challenges, but it's somethinghis government is considering.

The governmenttabled the text of the treaty in mid December;it can'tintroduceimplementation legislation beforeMarch.

"We will, as you know, look at the implementation after the18thof March, but what I'm saying to you is that we will be doing some serious thinking about whether we want to proceed forward with it ... you know the situation with respect to steel and aluminum is not yet resolved," he told CBC Radio'sThe Housefrom Washington, D.C.Thursday. The full interview will air Saturday.

"I'm not saying that it's ashowstopper, but it certainly is an impediment because we have a good deal with the United States and without the tariffs in place we're very happy with the deal."

Meanwhile, Canada's top man in Washington said today he thinks U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum will be lifted in the next few weeksbut wouldn't elaborate on what's motivating that optimism.

DavidMacNaughton, Canada's ambassador to the U.S., would only tell reporters at a gathering in Washingtonthat there is a lot of support in the U.S. among workers and politiciansfor killing the punitive tariffs.

"We'll get there in the next few weeks," he said. "We're getting there."

Last May, theU.S. announced tariffsof 25 per cent on imported steel and 10 per cent on imported aluminum.

Canada retaliated withtariffs of its own, butthe government has faced criticism for signing a new North American trade pact with the U.S. and Mexico without securing any guarantees from Washington that it would lift the tariffs.

MacNaughtonsaidhe's met withUnited States Trade Representative RobertLighthizerand members of Congressover the last few weeks.

"I'moptimisticthatwe are going to get there," he said.