The Decibel cover image

The Decibel

New trade partners for Canada? Easier said than done

Feb 24, 2025
Chris Wilson-Smith, a trade expert and writer for The Globe and Mail, dives into Canada's trade landscape as U.S. tariffs loom. He discusses the significant barriers Canadian businesses face in diversifying their trade partners, especially smaller firms battling against giants. The complexities of political tensions with countries like India and China are explored. Furthermore, interprovincial trade challenges, particularly in alcohol sales, highlight the regulatory hurdles stifling Canadian growth, while the role of immigrant-led enterprises in the economy is emphasized.
20:47

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The ongoing threat of U.S. tariffs highlights the urgency for Canadian businesses to diversify their trade relationships despite facing significant barriers.
  • Improving internal trade by reducing provincial regulations could enhance interprovincial commerce and stimulate Canada's GDP amidst evolving international challenges.

Deep dives

The Impact of Tariffs on Canadian Economy

The ongoing threat of tariffs poses a significant risk to the Canadian economy, particularly given that approximately 75 percent of Canadian exports head to the U.S. The potential implementation of these tariffs could lead to job losses, decreased demand for Canadian goods, and even possible recession. This interconnectedness underscores the urgency for Canada to find alternative trading partners to mitigate these economic risks. However, diversifying trade relationships is complicated and often more challenging than it appears, requiring substantial time and resources.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode