N.L. premier invites Trump to discuss tariffs as they view ‘Come from Away’ show

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ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – Newfoundland and Labrador’s premier has invited U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss trade while they view a showing of a hit musical that tells the story of how the town of Gander, N.L., welcomed 7,000 stranded airline passengers after 9/11.

In a tweeted letter sent on Tuesday, Dwight Ball describes Trump’s recent policies on tariffs as “extremely troubling,” and said he hoped to discuss “a positive and mutually beneficial trade relationship” as they watched “Come from Away” together.

The letter appears to be in response to the recent rise in tensions between Ottawa and the U.S. administration over trade.

After the G7 summit in Quebec, Trump called Prime Minister Justin Trudeau “weak and dishonest.” The president was apparently angered over comments the prime minister made during a press conference, when he objected to American tariffs imposed on steel and aluminum last month.

Ball’s letter evokes the province’s historic relationship with the United States.

“As I hope you are aware, the United States of America and the province of Newfoundland and Labrador have enjoyed a positive trade relationship for centuries with reciprocity treaties dating back to the 1800s,” wrote Ball.

“Even during the Second World War, we stood shoulder to shoulder as the U.S. government negotiated with Newfoundland and Labrador for safe and secure military bases.”

The letter says Newfoundland and Labrador believes in the mantra that “a rising tide lifts all boats,” as Ball reminds Trump of how his small province helped the Americans amidst the aftermath of the September 2001 terrorist attack.

Ball says he wants “to discuss the virtues of a positive relationship,” and noted the tickets to “Come from Away” would be available at Trump’s “leisure” and “hopefully are tariff-free.”

Arts impresario David Mirvish first staged the show in Toronto from December 2016 to January 2017.

The show’s momentum hasn’t slowed since: its soundtrack has been nominated for a Grammy and Canadian creators Irene Sankoff and David Hein are hard at work on a script for a film adaptation.

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