WASHINGTON, D.C. — Time’s up. On Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump raised the tariff rate on Canadian goods not covered under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) from 25 to 35 per cent, saying they “have to pay a fair rate.” The White House claims it’s because of Canada’s failure to curb the “ongoing flood of fentanyl and other illicit drugs.” U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data, however, show that fentanyl seizures from Canada make up less than 0.1 per cent of total U.S. seizures of the drug; most smuggling comes across the Mexican border.

But the future of Trump’s policy also rests on shaky ground, and the tariffs could come crashing down even if Canada can’t reach a deal at some point. Imposed through a controversially declared “national emergency” under the I

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