In response to United States President-elect Donald Trump’s threats to impose a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian imports and his escalating hostile rhetoric, Canada and its allies must urgently explore new international trade strategies. Trump’s proposed tariffs could reduce trade and hurt the economy if left unchecked.
The World Trade Organization and its members have an opportunity to counter potential adverse effects of forthcoming U.S. policies by diversifying trade with other countries and increasing international trade through the circular economy.
A circular economy requires that a variety of stakeholders — consumers, businesses, governments, non-governmental organizations, and academia, among others — co-operate to transition away from a linear economy (buy, use, throw away), and, instead, repurpose materials and energy.
