Graphic Truth: Trump tariffs could cook Canada

Paige Fusco
On the campaign trail, Donald Trump pledged to raise tariffs against China to 60% and to impose a blanket tariff of at least 10% on imports from every other country, friend or foe.

It’s not yet clear how he will follow through with that threat – mainstream economists have warned of its inflationary effects – but the president-elect and top advisers, including his former trade chiefRobert Lighthizer, are working hard on it as Trump prepares to take office in January.

What effect would a blanket tariff have on Canada, whose economy is tightly integrated with the US? Brace yourself. A recent report by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce estimated that a permanent 10% US tariff on Canada would cause US imports to fall by 10%, and knock as much as 5% off of Canada’s GDP.

Here’s a look at just how dependent Canada’s economy is on the US, and the key export categories.

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