Joe Biden

The Irish Eyes that once smiled on Canada-U.S. trade have been replaced by a scowl from south of the border. …Bilateral irritants, including softwood lumber and dairy, have piled up in recent years. Part of the problem is that President Joe Biden has a penchant for protectionism, much like his predecessor. …Anyone who believed four years ago that having a Democrat back in the White House would translate into fewer trade tensions for Canada was mistaken. These days as Mr. Biden is doubling down on his Buy America policies. …Then there’s former president Donald Trump, who proposes to slap a 10-per-cent tariff on all imported goods, no matter the country of origin. Both men appear to have disdain for the World Trade Organization. Mr. Trump hobbled it and Mr. Biden neglected it. …Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced plans to raise tariffs levied against Canadian softwood lumber producers. [to access the full story a Globe & Mail subscription is required]