Canada Must Stand Its Ground Against US Trade Dispute

Former federal Liberal cabinet minister and diplomat Ralph Goodale says Canada needs to stand its ground in the current trade dispute with the United States. In an interview, Goodale emphasized that President Donald Trump's goal is not to get a good business deal between Canada and the US but rather annexation and subjugation of the Canadian economy.

Goodale noted that while the current 50% American tariffs on certain goods affect only about five percent of Canada's exports to the US, this can grow significantly if left unchecked. He also pointed out that the burden of these tariffs falls heavily on smaller businesses, which often lack the resources to cope with such disruptions.

Goodale advocated for a more concerted effort by both the corporate sector and government in Canada to promote Canadian products and support small businesses affected by the trade dispute. He suggested that provinces and Crown corporations review their procurement practices to identify areas where they can switch from American suppliers to Canadian ones.