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Politics

Trudeau Weighs Auto-Content Rules as Next U.S. Trade Flashpoint

  • Canada says consultations failed as Mexico eyes escalation
  • Prime minister left White House summit empty handed this month
An employee assembles a bumper at a Magna International auto-parts plant in Guelph, Ontario in Aug. 2018.

An employee assembles a bumper at a Magna International auto-parts plant in Guelph, Ontario in Aug. 2018.

Photographer: Cole Burston/Bloomberg

Justin Trudeau appears set to add another item to his government’s growing list of trade grievances with Joe Biden’s administration.

Canada is leaning toward forming a common front with Mexico in a fight with the U.S. over how to interpret rules governing the origin of vehicle parts. The rules, which are part of the North American free-trade agreement overhauled under Donald Trump, set content requirements for cars shipped across regional borders.