Action urgently needed as Canada-U.S. relations drift precariously

Does anyone really know where Canada’s tariff negotiations with the U.S. are headed? Despite a steady cavalcade of ministerial visits to Washington and efforts by individual premiers to engage, it is difficult to know what is being discussed, or whether anything has been agreed or rejected. We have been treated instead to airy platitudes: Talks are “progressing” or meetings “have been constructive,” etc. Messaging to the U.S. media has been obsequious, not crisp lest anything strong trigger an outburst by the unpredictable president.

The U.S. Appeals Court verdict deeming most of Donald Trump’s tariffs unconstitutional is helpful but is being appealed to the Supreme Court and regardless, the administration has other options it can select to sustain the tariffs.

We and the rest of the wor