Canada needs to take Trump’s tariff threats seriously: experts

Experts say Canada needs to be prepared to take action if U.S. president-elect Donald Trump goes through with his threats of significant tariffs when he takes office in January.

Steve Verheul, former chief trade negotiator for Canada, says though the threat may not seem credible to many, the country still needs to take it seriously by engaging with the new administration and considering potential retaliation.

He made the comment during an online panel hosted by BMO on Wednesday.

Trump has said he will introduce tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports into the U.S. unless they are able to halt the movement of illegal drugs and migrants across their borders.

Experts have warned such tariffs would be damaging to the Canadian economy.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently flew to meet with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, and briefed opposition leaders this week on the government’s plan for the Canada-U.S. border.

Rosa Saba, The Canadian Press