Canadian trade survived the first Trump presidency. Here’s how it can survive the second [Video]

Here we go again.

Canadian industries are bracing for chaos, discord and, above all, tariffs. Donald Trump’s sweeping presidential election victory this week sets the stage for a series of obstacles to trade between Canada and its biggest trading partner.

But for those who spent much of Trump’s first term defending Canadian interests in a trade war, there is an eerie sense of déjà vu.

“We have that history and experience to draw on,” said Catherine Cobden, president and CEO of the Canadian Steel Producers Association.

Back in 2018, Trump slapped a 25 per cent tariff on steel imports.

Eventually, Canadian negotiators convinced the Republican president to give Canada an exemption. Cobden said Canada is one of the only countries to negotiate a break.

“The reason we determined that tariffs should not exist between Canada and the United States is that we learned they were doing harm on both sides of the border,” she told CBC News.

WATCH | How Canadian businesses are …