January 24, 2025

The Brief: How will Trump and tariffs affect Albertans?

33 minutes

Donald Trump is officially the President of the United States again, and his "America first" approach to politics and threat of tariffs on Canadian goods mean that Canada has entered an era of trade uncertainty with it's largest economic partner.

The impacts of tariffs on Canada-U.S. trade would be profound on both sides of the border, but how would they affect Albertans in their daily lives? What would become more expensive? Where would we see job losses? What industries would be hit the hardest? To help give our listeners a clearer picture of the possible outcomes, Scott Crockatt invited BCA Director of Policy Alicia Planincic and Trevor Tombe, Director of Fiscal and Economic Policy at The University of Calgarys's School of Public Policy, onto The Brief to break down what could happen and what it could mean for Alberta businesses and households.

In this episode:

Trump's approach to trade and diplomacy
What is a tariff and how does it work?
What is a 'trade deficit,' and is the U.S. really 'subsidizing' Canada?
The 'nuclear option' - oil and energy export ban
Industries at risk and where we may see job losses

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About the Business Council of Alberta

The Business Council of Alberta was founded on a simple idea: to make life better for all Albertans. We believe that business has an important role in improving society, and that when business does well, we all do well. We work with the chief executives and leading entrepreneurs of Alberta's largest enterprises to understand the big, long-term challenges that Albertans are facing and work with industry, government, and civil society to solve these problems and build shared prosperity for every person who calls Alberta home.

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