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Politicians, like gamblers, need to know when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em.

Justin Trudeau’s pre-emptive decision to tell one of the planet’s most voracious deal-makers that Canada is willing to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement, without even being asked, ranks as one of the great examples of a sovereign government disintegrating like cheap toilet paper.

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“It’s important that we be open to talking about trade deals,” the prime minister said last week.

“We’re ready to come to the table,” said David MacNaughton, Canada’s ambassador to Washington.

But political opponents and veterans of past free trade battles are baffled why the prime minister felt the need to invite the Trump administration to re-open NAFTA.

Rona Ambrose, the interim Conservative leader, raised the issue in question period Monday, pointing out that even before he was asked, the prime minister put NAFTA back on the negotiating table.