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."

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

badminton · 61-69, MVIP

Tariffs don't work because if the U.S. puts tariffs on another country's products, that country will retaliate by placing tariffs on American products. No gain at all. And it creates hostility.

zonavar68 · 56-60, M

@badminton And many 'American' products aren't - instead they're Chinese. Like all Apple products. In fact every single mobile phone and tablet and PC device is now made in China. Only genuine 'made in usa' products can be called 'American'. I don't think the USA has an Aussie-style food labelling regulation where the percentage of Australian ingredients has to be indicated and calling something 'Australian made' is governed by legislation.

BrandNewMan · M

@badminton There already are tariffs on US products .. and at higher rate than the US applies .. with many countries. There are a rather limited number of free trade agreements.

https://ustr.gov/trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements