Trump again threatens to leave Canada out of new NAFTA deal

[TomCADem]

24. How to Make Sense of the White House on NAFTA. Populist Protectionism or Not?

On the one hand, you have the White House quietly telling Congressional leaders that there will be no significant changes. On the other hand, you have Trump ripping off Bernie's greatest anti-trade hits complete with tariffs and nuking NAFTA. For example, compare Trump's statements in the OP with Bernie's 2016 press release below.

That being said, it does seem that Trump truly is isolationist given his anti-immigration and anti-trade moves to date, so perhaps this is an instance where Trump actually believes his rhetoric.

https://berniesanders.com/press-release/job-killing-trade-deals-hurt-pennsylvania-workers/

Job-Killing Trade Deals Hurt Pennsylvania Workers

Clinton recently signaled that she might seek modifications in the pact, but Sanders said that’s not enough. “I will not renegotiate the TPP, I will reject it. I will not send any trade deals to Congress that make it easier for corporations to shut down in this country and move abroad.”

He pledged to rewrite the worst trade deals of the last 30 years, including NAFTA. Sanders will also impose countervailing tariffs on imports from China and Japan until they stop dumping steel into the United States and stop manipulating their currencies.

At the news conference here, Sanders was joined by President Mike Smith of the United Steelworkers Local 1557-2 and President Scott Slawson of the United Electrical Workers Local 506.

Pennsylvania voters go to the polls on April 26 to decide how the state will allocate its 189 pledged delegates to the Democratic National Convention this summer in Philadelphia.