By Paul Wiseman
America’s top trading partners are responding to President Donald Trump’s belligerent and unpredictable trade policies by trying to take their business elsewhere.
Canada broke with the United States on Friday, slashing its 100% import tax on Chinese electric vehicles in return for lower tariffs on Canadian farm products, particularly canola seeds.
“It’s a huge declaration of realignment in Canada’s economic relations,” said Edward Alden, who studies trade issues as senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. “The economic threat from the United States is now perceived by Canadians as far bigger than the economic threat from China. So this is a big deal.’’
Canada has repeatedly been the target of Trump’s impulsive wrath. In October, for instance, he said he was imposing a 10% tariff on Canadian imports as a reprisal for Ontario’s provincial government airing an advertisement that criticized the president’s go-to diplomatic tariff tool.
You’ve reached your free article limit
Subscribe to enjoy unlimited access to trusted journalism. Cancel anytime.
Subscribe nowNeed help? molokom@insidepolitic.co.za
