The tariff war was supposed to bring factories home. Instead, it sent money out of American wallets, pushed business into Mexico, and gave Canada a reason to finally look beyond the U.S.
Good article. There is absolutely no use in negotiating against ourselves and capitulating to try to get a so-called deal. Diversification is a much better strategy.
Yes but... why is it taking so long to rid ourselves of inter provincial trade barriers? We have been told so often that doing so will increase our prosperity enormously.
Everyone agrees interprovincial barriers are a problem until removing one affects a local interest group, industry, union, profession, or government revenue stream.
The good news is that U.S. trade uncertainty has finally created pressure to deal with it. Progress is happening, but after decades of building different provincial rules, it won't be fixed overnight.
Canada has spent years acting like 13 separate markets.
We're now discovering we need to behave more like one country.
I agree with your analysis and conclusions across the board
Anyone who actually knows how tariffs work knows that it’s the importers and customers who pay the bill - I as an American pay for those with my purchases. Not Canada (or Mexico or China…)
The leverage is *supposed* to be that those increases in internal costs (because tariffs) reduce sales and force concessions from the exporters
As it happens, particularly in this case, the exporters - Canada again in this case - can simply look for other customers
I applaud Canada for being the adult in the room and not responding to the thrashings of a petulant toddler
Good article. There is absolutely no use in negotiating against ourselves and capitulating to try to get a so-called deal. Diversification is a much better strategy.
Yes but... why is it taking so long to rid ourselves of inter provincial trade barriers? We have been told so often that doing so will increase our prosperity enormously.
Partly because every province protects something.
Quebec protects language and procurement rules.
Western provinces protect certain industries.
Atlantic provinces protect local markets.
Ontario protects its own regulations.
Everyone agrees interprovincial barriers are a problem until removing one affects a local interest group, industry, union, profession, or government revenue stream.
The good news is that U.S. trade uncertainty has finally created pressure to deal with it. Progress is happening, but after decades of building different provincial rules, it won't be fixed overnight.
Canada has spent years acting like 13 separate markets.
We're now discovering we need to behave more like one country.
I agree with your analysis and conclusions across the board
Anyone who actually knows how tariffs work knows that it’s the importers and customers who pay the bill - I as an American pay for those with my purchases. Not Canada (or Mexico or China…)
The leverage is *supposed* to be that those increases in internal costs (because tariffs) reduce sales and force concessions from the exporters
As it happens, particularly in this case, the exporters - Canada again in this case - can simply look for other customers
I applaud Canada for being the adult in the room and not responding to the thrashings of a petulant toddler
Really really wish our national media would report this. The only progressive news comes from Canada s National Observer and small local voices.