Angry, Trump threatens to cut "subsidies" to General Motors

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and US President Donald Trump shared Tuesday their "disappointment" with General Motors, which will cut thousands of jobs in their countries, saying they are "worried" about the plight of the affected workers .

"The two leaders expressed disappointment with General Motors' decision to close several factories in Canada and the United States," said the Canadian executive's office.

Messrs. Trudeau and Trump "also expressed concern for the affected workers, families and communities," added the source.

The two North American leaders "are eager to see each other in Argentina" this weekend, at the G20 summit where they are expected to sign, with Mexico, the new "United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement ( AEUMC), which replaces the former Free Trade Agreement (Alena), sued Ottawa.

"The Prime Minister and the President agreed that the new trade agreement between Canada, the United States and Mexico would help strengthen North American competitiveness," said Trudeau's cabinet.

Prior to the signing of this agreement announced on October 1, Ottawa wanted the lifting of US tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. Canada has applied reciprocal taxes in retaliation.

According to Ottawa, Justin Trudeau took advantage of his exchange with Donald Trump to "stress that it was important for both countries to lift tariffs on steel and aluminum". Mr. Trudeau's cabinet refused to comment further on this dispute.

Shortly after their exchange, the US president has threatened to Twitter to hit the portfolio General Motors, saying "very disappointed" by the removal of 15% of jobs in the first US car group.

Mr Trump mentioned the removal of subsidies "including for electric cars", without further details.

At the same time in Ottawa, Jerry Dias, the union representative of GM's Canadian employees affected by the closure of a plant employing some 2,500 employees near Toronto, met Justin Trudeau.

"We are at a crossroads," he told reporters after meeting with the Canadian Prime Minister. "The truth is that GM is on the verge of withdrawing all of its investments from Canada, and this will create a catastrophic end to Canada's most lucrative export industry," Unifor union president said. .