However, the Trump administration will want to avoid trade wars, so is likely to take a 'somewhat measured' approach to imposing crippling tariffs on Canada, says Derek Burney

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The Trump administration knows that nobody wins from trade wars and so will likely adopt a “somewhat measured” approach to imposing crippling tariffs on Canada, said Derek Burney, a former Canadian ambassador in Washington in conversation with John Ivison.

But he says the new president will react badly to Canada’s “pathetic performance” on defence spending.

“Trump will not stand for that. We’ve got to get our act together on that one,” he said.

Trump was re-elected as president on Tuesday, tapping into what Burney said is a “very sour mood” in the U.S.

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But he said, while there are significant risks, Canadians should not overreact.

“The USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada) trade agreement was negotiated by Trump (and) I would think any tariff that they impose unilaterally on Canada would violate that agreement. So, I don’t think we should start tearing our hair out too........

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