Elbows Up, Canada! How has the trade war affected you?

Introduced by: Tanya Long

Since taking office in early 2025, President Trump has pursued an aggressive tariff policy, particularly against China, Mexico and Canada. "Tariff is the most beautiful word in the dictionary," he said. Since then, Prime Minister Carney has engaged in rounds of accommodation, counter tariffs and resistance. Most recently Carney suspended trade negotiations on August 21, 2026 on the grounds that the US changed the terms at the last minute in ways that were uneconomic and unfair, such as trying to limit Canada's ability to pursue free trade agreements with other countries. The US imposed new 50% tariffs on items from steel and aluminum to hockey sticks and cheese. Ottawa announced matching dollar for dollar retaliatory tariffs. 

At the World Economic Forum in January, Carney gave the Davos speech proclaiming that the old rule-based international order has been ruptured and that the middle powers need to work collaboratively to combat economic coercion. The speech was met with a standing ovation and put Canada centre stage on the world theatre. 

Working to limit Canada's economic dependence on the US, on September 14-15 in Toronto, Carney held the Canada Investment Strategy, bringing together global asset managers representing $100 trillion. The summit resulted in $500 billion in investments in Canada in areas such as infrastructure, energy and technology. 

Recently Carney spoke at the European Union Parliament advocating for cooperation in various areas given the affinity in values between Canada and members of the EU . European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen raised the possibility of Canada becoming an "associate member" of the EU, a position that does not now exist. 

Questions:

1. How is this trade war affecting you? Are you changing your travel plans, buying Canadian as much as possible when doing your shopping, cancelling your Netflix subscription and boycotting Amazon?

2. Has your employment or that of people you know been affected?

3. What other options are there for Individuals to fight in this trade war?

4. Have you been following what PM Carney has been doing and do you agree with his actions?

5. Are there aspects of his approach that cause you concern? 

6. Is emphasis on fighting this trade war taking money and attention away from very pressing concerns like housing, health care and climate change?

Whatever the outcome, especially assuming that Donald Trump is no longer president after January 2029, this trade war is having permanent effects on Canada economically and culturally. Join us for a lively discussion. 

Please join the Zoom Meeting here: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/971381033

Details to follow

Please join the Zoom Meeting here: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/971381033