American and Canadian economic and policy experts discussed the impacts of the current trade tension
UCLA Social Sciences
UCLA’s Department of Geography and UCLA’s Canadian Studies hosted an Ursus Symposium titled, Tariffs and Trade Wars: Impacts of the Changing Economic-Political Relationship Between Canada and the U.S., on Wednesday, March 26.
During the panel discussion, American and Canadian economic and policy experts shared their perspective on how current trade tensions between these nations could affect the economies, the public and environments of both nations.
Since implementation of the NAFTA and USMCA trade agreements, the United States and Canada had experienced three decades of closer economic integration, relatively harmonious trade and mutual economic benefits. Yet, under the second Trump administration, the U.S. has announced punishing tariffs on Canadian goods — including on resources such as energy. President Trump has also threatened to annex Canada to make it the “51st state.” In turn, Canada has announced reciprocal tariffs on U.S. goods, and attitudes toward the United States as a reliable trading partner and ally have turned sharply negative.
The panel discussion featured:
Kristen Hopewell, Canada Research Chair in Global Policy, School of Public Policy and Global Affairs Director, Liu Institute for Global Issues University of British Columbia.
Brett House, Professor of Professional Practice in Economics, Columbia Business School Senior Fellow, Canada’s Public Policy Forum Senior Fellow, University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy Senior Fellow, Massey College.
Jerry Nickelsburg, Faculty Director, UCLA Anderson Economic Forecast.
Glen MacDonald FRSC, UCLA Endowed Chair in Geography of California and the American West Chair, UCLA Canadian Studies Program (Discussion Moderator)
Co-sponsored by UCLA’s Division of Social Sciences and UCLA’s International Institute, the event was streamed live via Zoom.
The Ursus Symposium at UCLA is a series of events, often environmental in nature, featuring UCLA scientists and experts discussing pressing issues, like climate change and coastal conservation, with a focus on Southern California.