Todays Headline – We are now told that negotiations on improving trade relations with Canada have been terminated.

The Problem – We need oil from Cananda to help fight inflation and maintain our standard of living. We need lumber, steel, and other building materials to help hold down the spiraling cost of home construction.

The Status – Canada has had a positive flow of manufactured products from producers in the U.S. to Canada. But now – Canadians are boycotting U.S. products, while withholding their tourist dollars. This is not going well.

The Logic – Trade is a two-way street. There are consequences of operating on a unilateral basis. The U.S. has clearly indicated that there will be an attempt to slow the flow of imported products. What is becoming more obvious is that our own exports are in danger of falling along with foreign tourist dollars, foreign investment dollars, and fees for professional services from American firms.

Meanwhile – The promised ‘Deals’ with major trading partners like Korea, Japan and other Asian countries remain undone. It is a bit frustrating to raise the flag and find that nobody salutes! Time to refocus?

It is too the advantage of U.S. companies and all of us that this trade confusion and chaos be brought to a quick conclusion. Let’s make sure the traffic on the U.S. – Canadian ‘Peace Bridge’ continues its two-way growth into the future.