“America First” is not a new policy. The U.S. has always had its thumb on the scale where trade is concerned. All that has changed is that the policy has now been acknowledged and intensified.

Mary MacKay, 70, lives in rural Cape Breton:

Where I live, our only department store is a Wal-Mart 30 kilometers away, so we’re already held captive by an American enterprise. I like the idea of trading worldwide, easing our way out of reliance on the United States’ mercurial dictates. The free-trade agreement has not always suited Canadians. So why are we determined to hold on to it?

David Jorgensen, 61, lives in Edmonton, Alberta:

Friday’s ruling on the Bombardier/Boeing dispute shows how important it is for Canada to have a trade arbitration mechanism that is not dependent on raw power. A set of reliable dispute-resolution protocols are crucial. We Canadians certainly see Trump’s pronouncements as aggressive and bullying — his “America First” also says to us “Canada Last,” and we’re simply not prepared to put up with that.

John Peddie, 71, lives in Toronto:

Scandinavian and Swiss models are good examples of what Canada should be doing. As for what I’d like to see from the current Nafta talks: a firm stance against America’s current political leadership, a willingness to walk away from American bullying and a strenuous effort to expand trade with other parts of the world. This would include a bilateral agreement with Mexico.