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The U.S. administration has frequently lashed out at Canada’s system for controlling the price and supply of dairy, eggs and chicken — but Canada has adamantly and repeatedly insisted that’s not on the table.

In a fundraising email sent recently to supporters, Bernier wrote that he’s the “only politician in Ottawa who says we should sit down with Trump and start meaningful negotiations, instead of playing politics with the 20 per cent of our economy that depends on trade with the US.”

When asked in the interview what Scheer might think of his email blast, Bernier quickly interjected, “But that’s the reality. That’s the reality.

“I’m the only one who supports real free trade with the U.S., I’m the only one who is against a trade war with the U.S., and I’m the only one who wants to be sure that we’ll have a better economic prosperity for our country,” he said, adding the Conservatives “must not” support the government in its trade war with the U.S.

He stops short at wanting in on the talks.

“My role is to try to convince the government, my party, the politicians in Ottawa, that their position is wrong,” he said.

Bernier questioned why his party would support a “socialist policy” and said the dairy, poultry and egg producers are holding the economy hostage.

“We just need to convince the government and it’s sad that I’m the only one. The only elected member of Parliament who’s speaking for 35 million Canadians on that issue and now the government, they’re putting our economy at risk with that position.”