Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday that American-style MAGA politics led the Conservative Party of Canada to abandon Ukraine when the time came.
Trudeau’s comments come a day after Conservative Leader Pierre Poilivere said he voted against the updated Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement in the House of Commons to force the war-torn country to implement a carbon tax. Published a comment. There is no such thing in the agreement.
Prime Minister Trudeau attended the closing press conference of the Canada-European Union Summit in St. John’s and was asked about the Conservative Party’s opposition to the trade deal, calling the Conservatives’ excuse for rejecting the deal “ridiculous.” Stated.
“The real story is the rise of American MAGA-influenced right-wing ideology that has led Canadian conservatives – who I admit were once some of Ukraine’s strongest defenders – to believe that Ukraine needs “This is a much-needed moment,” Trudeau said alongside European Commission President Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen.
The prime minister said that the movement to withdraw support for Ukraine, which is currently growing among Trump conservatives in “some parts” of the United States and Europe, is based on Russian disinformation and propaganda.
“I want to remind all Canadians that the Conservative Party of Canada and Pierre Poièvre have turned their backs on history, turned their backs on their friends and allies, and turned their backs on their support for the United Nations Charter of International Rules-Based Order and Territorial Integrity. That’s concerning,” Prime Minister Trudeau said.
Earlier this week, 109 Conservative MPs voted against a bill renewing the Canada-Ukraine free trade agreement, marking the first break in multiparty support for Ukraine since the Russian invasion.
Asked on Thursday why he and members of parliament did not support the renewal, Poyriev called the deal “cruel” and “disgusting” and said he had “betrayed” Ukraine by demanding that the country impose a carbon tax. ” he claimed.
“I really think this speaks to how morbidly obsessed it is.” [Justin] “Prime Minister Trudeau is in favor of a carbon tax and is using it to force his carbon tax ideology on the poor while holding a knife to the throats of Ukrainians,” Poièvre said.
“The last thing they need is a carbon tax as they try to recover from war and Russia’s illegal invasion.”
Ukraine and carbon pricing
The basis of his criticism appears to be Article 13.24 of the Agreement. The article commits the parties to “cooperate in bilateral and international forums to address matters of mutual interest, as appropriate, to promote carbon pricing and measures to reduce carbon leakage risks.” There is. ”
Thursday, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian embassy in Ottawa said. gloves and mail The agreement “does not include specific measures to reduce carbon emissions, including specific tax measures.”
The federal government’s chief trade negotiator testified before a House committee earlier this month. said the clause was not binding. It was intended to foster discussion and cooperation.
The Ukrainian government Carbon tax from 2011 It is also developing a form of carbon pricing to align its policies with EU trade requirements as part of its efforts to gain EU membership.
WATCH: In Question | Conservatives Vote Against Ukraine Free Trade Agreement: