New U.S. tariffs hit a Canada tied in knots with contradictory trade policies

Jeff Mahon is director of geopolitical and international business advisory at consulting firm StrategyCorp. He previously served as deputy director at Global Affairs Canada’s China Division. As U.S. President Donald Trump unleashes brand new tariffs, Canadian trade policy is at risk of tying itself up into a knot of contradiction. Monday evening, Mr. Trump imposed expansive tariffs of 50 per cent on Canadian exports. These tariffs, on goods ranging from wine to cement, are framed as defensive measures against Canadian trade policy, after increasing bilateral friction. Against the Trump administration’s ongoing heel-turn, this country is struggling in its attempt to…