CANADA FIGHTING USA WITH COUNTER TARIFFS IS ECONOMIC SUICIDE, by Dr. Gbenga Adeoye

For those living in Canada, most of the Provinces are struggling in terms of keeping jobs and creating new ones. This is a very serious crisis.

From the angle of population of 40m people approximately, Canada should know that USA is not their class mate.

The whole of Canada's economy is supported over the years by US market and so why do you want to fight a country that is your big brother?

1. Few days ago, I interviewed some  highly skilled Professionals whose only job to survive is driving uber not because they are not properly trained or skilled but because the jobs are vanishing gradually as a result of pressure from the US tariff war against Canada.

2. There is an African proverb that says, you must ensure the sword is in your hands before you start chasing those who killed your father.

3. The implication is that, you may die in an attempt to confront those who killed your father if you have no weapon of attack and defence.

4. There is also a proverb in Africa that can only be described by saying that Elephant and rat are not mate.

5. Donald Trump may have his excesses but attempting to fight him is to further plunge Canada to serious economic crisis.

6. I recalled a training I attended at York Enterpreneouship Development Institute where it was revealed to us that over 70% of Canada Exports goes directly to USA.Yet US is close like leaving your living room to enter your bedroom.

7. The implication of that is that export to the US is the cheapest for Canada and most profitable for businesses in Canada.

8. It is also a known fact that housing is expensive in Canada and most Americans that work in Canada could live in US territory and work at Canada by driving to work daily as long as they have the right document.Detroit,  Michigan sharing boundary with Windsor is a good example.

9. To buy a 3 bedroom house with basement at Detroit, the price is between $80,000 to $120,000  and that implied that, it is cheaper to live at Detroit and work in Canada because, same type of house could be as high as $300,000 to $450,000 in Canada just 5 minutes drive from the US.

10. Trump imposition of tariffs on goods from Canada is already making American Companies in Canada to cut down operations in Canada and move their production Base to USA.

11. The movement of these companies is a major cause of growing unemployment and increasing  job loss in Canada.

12. Migrants who moved to Canada are not finding it easy and even those that have been in Canada for more than two decades are feeling  the heat.

13. A Telecom company closed down a whole department and a close family was affected.

14. Bills are mounting up daily for those who live in Canada and cost of goods and services are rising and life is becoming harder for people in Canada as a result of Economic War unleashed by the USA.

15. In August 2026 alone, about 42,000 jobs was lost while most professionals are not getting jobs as fast as they use to get and in fact many have become jobless for many months and some even a year.Only Alberta Province Could stand firm in keeping existing jobs and creating few more and that largely because of oil.

16. The real issue is that, Trump wants American Companies and in fact all companies selling to US market to move to USA so as to create jobs for Americans.

17. Canada should do just one thing..STOP FIGHTING US on tariffs.

18. The United States has imposed a 50% tariff (a tax on imported goods) on about $20 billion worth of Canadian products, leading to a fast-growing trade war between Canada and US. The 50% tax extends to  auto parts, wood, furniture, and hockey gear. Donald Trump used Section 338 of  the  old trade law to make these rule.

19. The  taxes imposed  applies  even to goods that normally enter the USA  duty-free under the current North American Trade Deals.

20. Prime Minister Mark Carney's government decided to fight  back by placing 15% to 50% taxes on about $20 billion of U.S. products effective from September 8, 2026.

21. Canada counter measure on U.S. goods such as  Wisconsin cheese and Kentucky appliances will not yield the positive result that can translate to economic gains because Canada needs US more than US need Canada.

22. Even China want to continue to supply goods to US.

23. Any attempt by Canada  to form  alliance with China  will also be counter productive. 

24. China policy is to sell to the world and not to buy finished product from anyone. 

25. If Canada thinks that China will provide a leverage to counter US economic war, the end result will be very catastrophic in that China's style is to take your raw material and sell finish products to you or sell finished product to you and use proceed to purchase your minerals.

WHAT SHOULD CANADA DO BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.

1. Reverse all counter tariffs against US products.

2. Arrange a peaceful meeting with Trump.

3. Invest heavily in Mining .

4. Woo American Investors to Canada

5. Give incentives to existing American Companies. 

6. Ensure that Migrants who are highly skilled are given opportunity to start creating jobs.

7. Keep producing oil as there are many cars still using Premium Motor Spirit or Gas and exploring more bye products from Crude oil does not imply a hatred for green eco system.

8. A word is enough for the wise. It is like a household making a vow not to cook in the kitchen but in the bedroom without kitchen equipment. It will not work and it is better to act now before it is too late.

The Author.

Dr.Gbenga Adeoye is a Lawyer and Chartered Accountant with deep understanding of Political Economy.

He writes from Houston, Texas.

He could be reached via email mail

 dga@gbengaadeoye.com