What if Trump is right on trade? [Video]

Canadians have feared Donald Trump when it comes to trade. They’ve fumed at his policies. They’ve said his threats and tariffs will bring chaos and disorder. But might they actually agree with him?

It’s easy to make the case that the second Trump presidency will be bad for Canada. Trump has threatened a 10 per cent tariff on everything imported into the U.S. That could shave off as much as five per cent from Canada’s GDP. Uncertainty will weigh on confidence and business investment. 

For years Trump has said free trade has been a disaster for American workers; a sentiment shared by many in his inner circle.

In his book No Trade is Free, Trump’s former trade representative Robert Lighthizer says what was once a “nearly unanimous” Washington consensus on free trade is now dead.

“While corporate profits soared for a select group of importers and retailers, many of America’s manufacturing companies were hollowed out — forced …