by Promod Puri
What does the French language have to do with trade and tariff negotiations between Canada and the United States?
The puzzling question led me to imagine this little scene during the recent Canada-U.S. negotiations that collapsed just as hope began to appear at the table.
After the Canadian and American teams finally hammered out a tentative deal, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick proudly marched off to the President’s office to get Donald Trump’s approval.
There was, however, one small problem.
The written agreement handed to Trump was in French, one of Canada’s two official languages.
“What is THIS?” Trump demanded, staring at the document as though it were a tariff bill written by some devil.
“Sorry, Mr. President,” Lutnick replied. “You’ve been given the French version of the agreement.”
“French?” Trump exploded. “Then add this to the deal: We don’t want any French in our 51st state!”
“Yes, Mr. President.”
Lutnick turned to leave.
“Wait!” Trump called. “One more thing. Tell the Canadians they can’t make any trade agreement with any other country without first getting approval from the White House.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And put it in a footnote,” Trump added, “that Lake Ontario will eventually be renamed Lake America.”
“Got it, Mr. President.”
Lutnick returned to the negotiating table and presented the newly Trump-coated agreement to the Canadian delegation.
The Canadians read it.
With shock and surprise, they looked at one another.
Without saying a word, they calmly capped their pens, packed their papers and walked out.
After all, no deal is better than a bad deal.
Well done, Canada!
Promod Puri.com 