The Red Passport

Twenty-five years after Canada stood with the United States following the attacks of September 11, the relationship looks almost unrecognizable.
Louise, Peter and Jeremy reflect on how they experienced 9/11, then fast-forward to the latest in the trade war and the changing politics of the United States. Is the current rupture temporary, or does Canada need to prepare for a fundamentally different relationship with its closest neighbour?

Nearly four decades after Canada tied its economic future to closer integration with the United States, is that experiment coming to an end?
International trade lawyer Lawrence Herman joins Peter and Jeremy to discuss Ottawa's delegation walking out of negotiations with Washington and why he believes the old free-trade relationship is gone. The conversation then turns to how Canada can build a more resilient economy through stronger ties with Europe and Asia, not to mention fewer trade barriers between provinces.

With a tariff deadline looming, Canada and the United States may be inching toward a deal. But in the coming days, attention will turn to how a possible agreement will be sold to Canadians.
The three amigos examine whether a deal can satisfy two very different audiences: Trump, who needs to claim a victory, and Canadians who seem wary of deep concessions. Peter argues that what is being called a negotiation is closer to a shakedown, Jeremy is concerned about what Canada will give up, while Louise, Québec's trade envoy, considers what Canada may need to accept to avoid further economic damage.

Canada may have to pay a steep price whether it makes a deal with Trump or not.
Louise Blais rejoins Jeremy Kinsman and Peter Donolo to debate an aggressive new round of tariffs scheduled to take effect August 19. Drawing on consultations with Québec manufacturers, Louise warns that cancelled orders, shutdowns and thousands of job losses could follow within weeks. Can Mark Carney stabilize the relationship without rewarding coercion? The larger question is how much short-term economic pain Canada is prepared to absorb to protect its sovereignty.

The rules of the game with Canada's most important partner have been tossed aside, and the outcome of the next round is as murky as Donald Trump's reflecting pool.
Former Deputy Prime Minister John Manley joins Peter Donolo and Jeremy Kinsman to discuss Canada's leverage with Trump's America, from trade and Iran to the G7 and the Gordie Howe Bridge. The question remains whether Canada can play the long game without blinking.