The Trump administration’s policies have damaged the economies of both countries, says former U.S. Ambassador to Canada James Blanchard.

A month after President Donald Trump abruptly ended trade talks with Canada over an anti-tariff ad featuring former President Ronald Reagan, the two countries have yet to resume negotiations.

The rift between America and its ally to the north is in fact “the worst in modern history,” says former US Ambassador to Canada James Blanchard. And it’s no wonder. Trump has threatened to annex Canada as the “51st state,” and mocked former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as its “governor.” He’s blamed the country for flooding America with fentanyl and illegal immigrants, though neither charge bears resemblance to reality. And he’s levied punitive tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum, among other exports, all the while accusing Canada of “cheating” on trade.

Even after Trump’s eventual departure from office, these wounds will be hard to heal, says Blanchard, who served as Ambassador to Canada under President Bill Clinton. Blanchard also served two terms as governor of Michigan and four terms in Congress.

Hosts: Anne Kim and Garrett Epps

Guest: The Hon. James Blanchard

Chapters

00:50 Current US-Canada Relations

02:43 Elbows Up?

05:12 Tariff Impacts on Canadian Economy

06:54 Trump unifies Canadians against him

11:42 Carney's performance

14:04 Tariffs benefit no one

17:16 The future of US-Canada relations