WASHINGTON, D.C. — Prime Minister Mark Carney’s team arrived in Washington this week with high hopes for a trade breakthrough, but even with Dominic LeBlanc, the minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade still in talks late into the week before heading home on Friday, Canada’s bid for tariff relief appears to remain out of reach. So why is Washington insistent on a tariff-laden trade framework?

For answers, National Post turned to Mark DiPlacido, the policy advisor to American Compass, a D.C.-based think tank that promotes a labour-friendly conservative agenda.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Q: Most economists believe that President Donald Trump’s tariffs will hurt American consumers through higher prices while alienating trade partners and failing to strengthe

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