25% Tariffs on Canada ? Think VERY carefully...

Former prime minister Jean Chrétien says U.S. president-elect Donald Trump is likely to walk back his threat of punishing tariffs and the resulting trade war with Canada, because the Americans are too reliant on a number of Canadian exports, namely in the energy sector.

"He's apparently said this morning that he does not need our electricity. Fine," Chrétien said in an exclusive broadcast interview with CTV Question Period, airing Sunday. "If he wants us to cut off electricity, he would have to walk up the Trump Tower with candles to go to his office, because the state of New York relies a lot on electricity coming from Canada."

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BrandNewMan · M

My bet is its a strategy to level the playing field where the US has been at inequitable tariff situations for decades. If countries refuse to move toward that goal, the tariff on their goods will go up. Basic negotiation .. and seems an affront only to those on the unfairly advantaged side of the relationship for so long. Maybe it works, maybe it doesn't .. might be some pain for all to bring change either way.

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whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M

@BrandNewMan Looking at it from the US perspective. Maybe. But from the rest of the world perspective, America never signed a deal that wasnt skewed in their favour in the fine print. Like having all disputes argued out int US courts and intellectual property rights favouring US holders, with the other party having to prove their case..Remaking some of these deal post trump may hold a few nasty surprises for America there..😷

BrandNewMan · M

@whowasthatmaskedman .. I didn't say it would work .. said it is what I would bet his thinking is about it. There are aspects I see on both sides of the issues. I don't believe many .. if any .. situations exist where one country holds all the cards, including for the U.S..

pdqsailor1 · 61-69, M

@BrandNewMan no not all the cards just the TRUMP card

whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M

@BrandNewMan Agreed. But America did have the game tilted in its favour as a military and economic and manufacturing superpower. Manufacturing is gone. (apart from guns and military hardware) Economics is going with BRICS now the biggest trading bloc, looking to change the reserve currency ans being $35 Trillion in debt, and the military is keys for all out war against other large powers. Not for this asymetrical warfare against an enemy hidden among the people and with support of the locals. Thimes are changing and that tipping point is upon America. (And trump isnt helping at all)😷

JimboSaturn · 56-60, M

@BrandNewMan I don't think we have tarriffs due to our trade negotiations, NAFTA and the new deal. That is the point.

BrandNewMan · M

@JimboSaturn Its not all just about Canada either .. and not for nothing .. but sometimes things change. Trudeau getting ousted would be an example involving Canada. Hopefully not, but more might be coming.

JimboSaturn · 56-60, M

@BrandNewMan Well we already have a trade deal with the States. I think Trump should honour it. He's just a bully who needs an enemy. Shame he has to make his closest ally and trading partner his enemy when there are so many real enemies. I guess he likes bulling smaller countries. Typical. I don't really understand how Trudeau resigning would be an example ?

BrandNewMan · M

@JimboSaturn Lol .. what we think and $6 each will get coffee at Starbucks

JimboSaturn · 56-60, M

@BrandNewMan Ya, I'm still not really understanding you.