(Undated) Canadian reaction to the news that Donald Trump will return to the White House has been mixed. Certainly, the president-elect’s protectionist stance is casting a spotlight on what effects his return will have on Canadian-American economic ties.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was quick to send a message of congratulations. Trudeau, who is facing re-election himself next year, spoke with reporters in Ottawa.
Canadian business leaders are concerned about Trump’s promise to introduce a universal ten-percent tariff on all foreign goods entering America. A recent report from Canada’s Chamber of Commerce suggested that a blanket tariff of 10 percent would shrink the Canadian economy by about $30 billion annually through incurred economic costs.
Since the trilateral Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement came into effect in 2020, trade between Canada and the U.S. has surged by 46 percent. That’s according to the Toronto Region Board of Trade. Kirstin Hillman, Canadian Ambassador to the U.S., spoke from Washington to say that the USMCA, which was negotiated by Donald Trump in his first term, continues to be successful.
Economists on both sides of the border have repeatedly warned that Trump’s tariff plan will cause inflation and possibly a recession.
As well, a promise that President-elect Trump has made repeatedly revolves around strong deportation measures and illegal border-crossings. Kirsten Hillman said that over the past number of years, Canada has strengthened its cooperation with U.S. border officials…tape
Again, Kirsten Hillman is the Canadian Ambassador to the U.S. and is based in Washington.
