Trump’s tariff threat could shake North American trade relations and upend agri-food trade

By Sylvanus Kwaku Afesorgbor, University of Guelph

President-elect Donald Trump has announced plans to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all products from Canada and Mexico, alleging both countries have failed to curb the inflow of illegal immigrants and drugs into the United States. This policy is set to take effect once Trump assumes office in January. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is meeting with the premiers on Wednesday to discuss a response.

During Trump's first term in office, we witnessed numerous similar instances of protectionist rhetoric and actions. These included labelling the North American Free ...