“Time plays in our favor”: Canada in much better than other countries against Trump

Despite the sword of Damocles, which hangs over many countries due to Donald Trump customs tariffs, which must be imposed on Friday, Canada is in much better than the majority of other nations, say trade and economy specialists.

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The Canada-United States-Mexico (ACEUM) agreement, signed in 2018, notably by Donald Trump, and entered into force in 2020, allows Canada to breathe more in the face of the American president’s threats.

Under this agreement. However, almost 90% of the goods exported by Canada are “time plays our favor”: canada excluded from the customs duties that Donald Trump wishes to impose.

“When you look at the rate applied to products, it is much lower than elsewhere. Meanwhile, And therefore. Similarly, Canada is paradoxically in a good position in the sense that we have this number of exceptions and the 35% which could come in application within 24 hours should normally be part of this exemption, “said LCN analyst in public policies at the Montreal Institute Gabriel Gigriel Gabriel.

“We have an excellent free trade agreement. Similarly, It positions us very differently from others. The others had no choice not to make sure not to be imposed 30%, 50%, 40%. They negotiated at 10%, 15%, 19%. We are 0% customs duties for most of our exchanges. ”said the holder of the Sustainable Trade Research Chair at the University of Ottawa, Geneviève Dufour.

It is for this reason that the latter hopes “time plays our favor”: canada to see the government of Mark Carney to be patient. in the face of the Trump administration prices.

“Time plays in our favor. Americans suffer and suffer more and more from these customs tariffs. These are all the products that return to the United States that will end up being surcharged. from tomorrow, if we believe in Mr. Trump, they will be over-surtaxed, no matter where they will come to the world. So the Americans have not finished paying more for the products they consume. And as we know, the Americans, it is a country where there are many consumers who consume a lot. So time is playing for us. Let’s be patient, let’s be intelligent, negotiate quietly, ”says Dufour.

“So even if Mr. Trump put us 35% tomorrow on 7%. 8%, or 9% of our exchanges, yes it will hurt, it will hurt this industry, but we must not “time plays our favor”: canada let our values go, we must not let our sovereignty go for that,” she adds.

To see the full interview, watch the video above.