President Trump’s long-threatened 25-percent tariffs against Canada and Mexico are now in effect.
Economists warn the move could be harmful to the U.S. and its trade partners.
Doctor Rob Gillezeau is an assistant professor of economic analysis and policy at the University of Toronto in Canada.
He says tariffs have the potential to be especially damaging to the auto industry, where parts can cross the border several times during the manufacturing process.
“The Big Three are going to be decimated. This feels like a perfectly designed policy by the president to do as much harm to Ontario, and to Michigan, as one could imagine.”
The transportation sector makes up around 55-percent of Michigan’s annual imports from Canada according to the Canadian Consulate General in Detroit.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has threatened to turn off electricity exports from Ontario in response to the tariffs.
