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The United States, led by an aggrieved president, wants to re-write the terms of trade with Canada that have governed our commercial relations, and brought us both benefits, since 1989. This was not a problem before for successive presidents, Republican and Democrat, who understood that trade is not always about surpluses and deficits.

It wasn’t a problem until Donald Trump made it one. And now, singlehandedly, armed with the powers of his office, what nature has so joined together, he threatens to put asunder.

It is Trump who called the North American Free Trade Agreement “the worst deal ever” and demanded its renegotiation. It is Trump who claimed, wrongly, that Canada has a trade surplus with the United States. It is Trump who imposed tariffs on goods imported from Canada. And now it is Trump who threatens Canada with tariffs on automobiles that it exports, which would be catastrophic, if Canada does not bend to his will.

Geography has made us neighbours, but alas, Trump is defying nature: He is making us enemies.

If the Americans do not yield, Canada now has a choice: Sign a deal that may not have a satisfactory dispute settlement mechanism; that may have a sunset clause, even if it is longer than five years; and that requires concessions in dairy (not a bad thing) and other areas. Or, risk a trade war with an economy 10 times our size that we will lose.

Trump treats Canada as he would a banana republic.

What is striking in all this is the tone of the conversation. Trump has belittled the process, boasting to reporters that Canada will get nothing from him. Never before has Canada been exposed to such brazenness, vulgarity and ignorance.