Stuart Trew

Ottawa

Director, Trade and Investment Research Project at Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

Articles

Canada’s murky North American future

1 week ago | policyalternatives.ca | Stuart Trew

Mark Carney wisely didn’t promise Canadians a miracle before travelling to Washington this week for a first official meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. The PM also didn’t say much at all about his intentions, leaving the public and the media to speculate about what might be achieved in such a short visit. Now that it’s over, I don’t think anyone can honestly say we are any clearer on the state or future of Canada-U.S. relations.
Trump’s trade program is sputtering—Canada has an opening - CCPA

2 weeks ago | policyalternatives.ca | Stuart Trew

The federal election returned another Liberal minority to power under the new leadership of former banker Mark Carney. International media is reporting the result as primarily a referendum on Trump. It probably was for many voters, who will be relieved that MAGA-tinged Pierre Poilievre lost his seat south of Ottawa. U.S. liberals are spinning Carney’s win as proof that standing up to Trump works.
The new Canada-Ecuador trade deal pushes anti-democratic trade policy

2 months ago | policyalternatives.ca | Kyla Tienhaara |Stuart Trew

Amidst all the chaos brought on by Trump’s tariff threats, Canada’s federal trade minister celebrated a minor win this month: the finalization of a trade agreement with Ecuador. At this point, you might think that any trade deal with the potential to lessen Canada’s dependence on our southern neighbour is a good thing. Unfortunately, this Ecuador deal does not have such powers.
Interprovincial trade barriers are a myth

2 months ago | troymedia.com | Stuart Trew

Reading Time: 4 minutesThe federal government’s interprovincial trade push is a political distraction, not a solutionPolitical and business leaders constantly warn of supposed barriers strangling Canada’s east-west trade, claiming it’s easier to do business with foreign countries than within our own borders.
Interprovincial trade won’t save Canada from Trump - CCPA

2 months ago | policyalternatives.ca | Stuart Trew |Chris Roberts

Since January 20, Canada has been at economic war with its largest trading partner and closest international ally. Though U.S. President Donald Trump has paused his promised 25 per cent tariff on most imports from Canada and Mexico for 30 days, the threat of those tariffs will hang over us for weeks and probably months to come.
The freakout about Canada’s ‘internal trade barriers’ is a corporate scam

Feb 14, 2025 | breachmedia.ca | Stuart Trew

As Donald Trump threatens Canada with an economic war, a new consensus is quickly emerging among the country’s political, business, and media class: we must tear down so-called barriers to trade across provinces. Interprovincial trade barriers, we’re told, “handcuff” the movement of goods, labour, and investment across Canada—so much so that it is supposedly much easier to do business across international borders than inside our own country.
To respond to U.S. tariffs, Canada should hit Trump where it hurts

Jan 17, 2025 | policyalternatives.ca | Stuart Trew

Canada is on tenterhooks as Donald Trump prepares to be sworn in as 47th President of the United States of America. The main source of anxiety is the near certainty that Trump will impose tariffs on all or some Canadian exports, as soon as inauguration day. It’s possible he will make good on his wild threat, first uttered in late November, of a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian and Mexican imports.
How bourbon, motorcycles and candy could help Canada in the event of a trade war

Jan 15, 2025 | thespec.com | Stuart Trew |David Macdonald

Canada is on tenterhooks in these final days before Donald Trump’s swearing-in as 47th President of the United States of America. The main source of anxiety is whether Trump will make good on a promise, made in late November, to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian and Mexican imports as one of his first acts in office.
How bourbon, motorcycles and candy could help Canada in the event of a trade war

Jan 15, 2025 | wellandtribune.ca | Stuart Trew |David Macdonald

Canada is on tenterhooks in these final days before Donald Trump’s swearing-in as 47th President of the United States of America. The main source of anxiety is whether Trump will make good on a promise, made in late November, to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian and Mexican imports as one of his first acts in office.
Promise and performance: What Justin Trudeau leaves behind

Jan 14, 2025 | policyalternatives.ca | Katherine Scott |Stuart Trew

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he was stepping down as Liberal leader on January 6, following months of speculation and mounting pressure from colleagues and opponents alike. The government remains in power, but all parliamentary activity—from existing bills to committee work—has ground to a stop. There is much to say about the decision and its timing, not least because of the political uncertainty it creates at a volatile moment for Canada.