It’s time once again to haul out the Trump to reality dictionary, as we try to understand the newest trade moves that involve many dollars but make little sense.
Yesterday, U.S. President Donald Trump signed orders imposing 50 per cent tariffs in 30 days on a wide range of Canadian goods including hockey sticks, wine and cement.
This time, there are no exemptions for any items previously covered under CUSMA, the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade pact that we should already be at the table re-negotiating.
The reasons they gave included provincial liquor bans, our dairy system and vehicle import quotas.
This latest move from the obfuscator-in-Chief is so transparent it doesn’t even require research to explain.
Trump and some other lawmakers south of the border are angry about wildfire smoke and also how we keep signing deals with other nations for everything from autos to military equipment, and for not selling American booze anymore (which is somehow worse in their minds).
This has nothing to do with unfair trade practices. It’s a tantrum, pure and simple, and Mr. Trump, it’s also one you are responsible for on both ends.
We are importing more vehicles from China under a better deal because YOU said you want to move all vehicle production to the U.S.
Tariffs under our dairy system almost never kick in because we don’t want your milk.
Also note, you didn’t put the new tariffs on oil, electricity, potash, critical minerals or other items you supposed DON’T need from us.
As for the liquor, you keep it. Your citizens need it more than we do.
I’m Paul Martin and that’s what I see looking Beyond the Headlines.
