The chaotic nature of the current trade situation between the United States
and Canada is taking a toll on both economies. The discourse is in
constant flux, so much so, that by the time this is written, all information
surrounding the “current” situation could be obsolete before the last
sentence has been read.
At the time of writing, the US has agreed to hold off on some of the
previous tariffs with Canada and has backed off on Mexican tariffs in their
entirety. The constant shift in stance is destabilizing and unsustainable. Our
comfortable historic relationship with the US has inadvertently allowed us to
become economic hostages to the abrupt policy changes of a trading
partner. Can Canada do something different going forward to alleviate this
degree of vulnerability?
Interprovincial trade barriers are now being discussed with a resolve that
has previously been missing, largely due to a degree of provincial
protectionism and a historically complacent trade relationship with the
United States. Relaxing these problematic barriers between provinces will
not only mitigate some of the economic stress caused by the chaos of the
current trade stance south of the border, but could freer trade between
provinces also help build a stronger national economy and identity?
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