Canada just announced consultations for the Canada-United States-Mexico (CUSMA) trade agreement, copying America’s homework while forgetting we don’t have the same tools to complete the assignment. It’s like showing up to a gunfight with a strongly-worded letter.

Here’s the stark reality: The United States has over 700 trade experts on standby, ready to defend their interests. Canada? Zero. We dismantled our Sectoral Advisory Groups on International Trade (SAGITs) in 2013 to save pennies. Now we’re paying in billions.

As an international trade lawyer who has testified twice before U.S. trade authorities this year — with a third appearance likely — I can tell you firsthand: we’re not just outgunned, we’re not even in the fight.

THE CONSULTATION CHARADE

Yes, Canada needs consultations. B

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