Canada faces challenges whoever wins

A Trump victory could be a 'tsunami' for the north, but Harris has also shown protectionist ideas

- MARK RAMZY

A potential Donald Trump administration in the U.S. could push on enforcing Canada's end of the USMCA, including on matters like the contentious dairy quota. Vice-President Kamala Harris voted against the deal back in 2020, which suggests the Democratic candidate could be more protectionist than we know.

U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

Donald Trump versus Kamala Harris.

Two very different presidential hopefuls are clashing in a contest with big stakes.

Any shift in policy from Ottawa’s biggest ally and most important trading partner will impact Canadians — regardless of who wins the race for the White House in November.

But how would the election of either affect Canada?

Bruce Heyman, the U.S. ambassador to Canada from 2014 to 2017, is warning another Trump presidency could be a “tsunami” for America’s northern neighbour.

Others say Canadians should expect some challenges even if Harris, who is poised to become the Democratic candidate but has yet to reveal much of her plans, wins and the party holds on to power.

Here’s what we know so far.

The tariff threat

Trump’s talk of imposing new trade tariffs of 10 per cent on all imports and other threats of protectionist measures has mobilized Canadian political leaders to try and prevent or at least cushion what would be a blow to our economy.

Those threats are serious, and Canadian steel, aluminum and softwood lumber business leaders are particularly concerned, Trade Minister Mary Ng told the Star’s editorial board in May.

So serious, in fact, that Canada is already thinking of how it would respond.

At the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee this month, Kirsten Hillman, the Canadian ambassador in Washington, said Canada would be “under enormous pressure to reciprocate” in that case, much like it did last time Trump introduced tariffs.