John M. Weekes

While National Newswatch does not keep an archive of external articles for longer than 6 months, we do keep all articles written by contributors who post directly to our site. Here you will find all of the contributed and linked external articles from John M. Weekes.

Bracing for Year Two of Trump’s Trade War

Bracing for Year Two of Trump’s Trade War

As Canada prepares to enter its second year navigating the aggressive trade policies of Donald Trump, it’s worth pausing a moment to take stock and remind ourselves of what will and won’t work as the focus shifts to the future of the Canada-US-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). While most Canadians would agree that the tariff policies of Donald Trump have created challenges...

From Phoney War to Trade War: Canada’s Next Steps

From Phoney War to Trade War: Canada’s Next Steps

During the weeks and months following Donald Trump’s election last November 5th, his relentless tariff threats and verbal assaults on Canada’s sovereignty created the equivalent of a phoney war, with the atmosphere of suspense and uncertainty doing economic damage to Canada even before tariffs were imposed. And while little economic harm was felt in the United States during that period...

Trump, Tariffs, and the World Trade Organization

Trump, Tariffs, and the World Trade Organization

In the face of Donald Trump’s disruptive approach to trade, it is not unreasonable to question whether negotiated, ratified, and settled trade agreements with the United States still have any value. What good are they to Canada if they don’t codify and compel the behavior of our largest trading partner as well as our own? Until time reveals the full...

Charting Canada’s Economic Course in the Face of Trump’s Threats

Charting Canada’s Economic Course in the Face of Trump’s Threats

Canada faces a very uncertain economic future as President Donald Trump threatens to impose 25% tariffs on all Canadian imports. These threats and any moves to actually impose tariffs undermine the attractiveness of Canada as a site for investment, particularly for manufactured goods. Indeed, it would seem that is exactly what Donald Trump would like to do. In a virtual...

Musings, Mixed Messages, and Other Unhelpful Preludes to the CUSMA Review

Musings, Mixed Messages, and Other Unhelpful Preludes to the CUSMA Review

There is considerable confusion, in the aftermath of the US presidential election outcome, surrounding the future of trade relations in North America. At least two Canadian premiers – of Ontario and Alberta – have suggested that future trade relations between Canada and the United States should be governed by a bilateral agreement, one that would not include Mexico. At this...