The inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump has the potential to affect the relationship between the United States and Canada, in unprecedented ways.
Prior to the inauguration, Trump spoke of imposing tariffs of 25 per cent against Canadian imports. He has now stated that these tariffs could begin early next week.
In response, Canada香蕉视频直播檚 federal government says it would impose retaliatory tariffs of its own if this were to happen.
Talk of tariffs, on both sides of the international border, is disturbing.
For many years, the two countries have enjoyed a strong trade relationship, with goods flowing across the international border in both directions. However, the relationship means different things in the two countries.
The United States is the world香蕉视频直播檚 largest economy, while Canada is the world香蕉视频直播檚 ninth largest economy.
In the United States, 14.3 per cent of the country香蕉视频直播檚 total trade is with Canada, while in Canada, close to two-thirds of international trade is with the United States.
Put simply, any tariff battle will have immediate and noticeable effects in Canada.
Finding new markets for Canadian goods would not happen overnight. In addition, the cost of exporting to other countries provides additional challenges for Canada.
At the same time, the United States would also be affected by a tariff war against Canada.
One-third of Canada香蕉视频直播檚 exports to the United States are energy products, and one-fifth are motor vehicles.
The United States imports more petroleum from Canada than from all other countries combined. A tariff on this product alone would have far-reaching effects on American motorists. Finding another oil-producing country with a stable government friendly to the U.S. could prove to be a difficult task.
At present, there is no way to know how a dispute between the United States and Canada would play out, or whether it will erupt into a tariff battle.
Canada香蕉视频直播檚 response must be to stand united, with federal and provincial leaders across the country coming together and working as a team. The federal government cannot and should not act independently from the provinces, and one provincial government cannot take an approach contrary to the rest of the country.
A reasoned, coordinated response may keep a bad situation from becoming worse, but a disjointed approach will not end well.
The close relationship enjoyed by the United States and Canada for many years is changing. How that change is managed will depend on our leadership.
香蕉视频直播� Black Press
