Canada ready to buy more American products to appease Trump’s tariff threat, ambassador says
Associated PressJAN 12
Canada Weighs Internal Trade Reform Amid US Tariff Threat
Above: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks Jan. 6, 2025. Image copyright: Dave Chan/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
Trump may be bluffing in order to angle for a better deal when the current trade deal with Canada expires. But the Canadian federal government and its provinces need to be ready to respond. Not only must the premiers get on the same page, but reforms must be made to make it easier for consumers to buy Canadian products in order to solidify the country's economic independence.
Narrative B
There may be a chance for the divided premiers to eventually agree to an approach for defending against these tariffs, but, unfortunately, Trudeau and his Liberal colleagues have put Canada at too much of a disadvantage already. Policies that promoted a radical agenda against climate change at the expense of Canada's energy industry — in addition to other Liberal follies — continue making the country susceptible to Trump's bullying.