Several CIRANO members have expressed their views on the consequences of a possible 25% increase in tariffs imposed by the United States. This decision, which affects a number of economic sectors, has provoked strong reactions from the academic and business communities.

• Thierry Warin, professor at HEC Montréal and head of the CIRANO Pole on Data Science for Trade and Intermodal Transportation, also known as GVCdtLab, spoke to CBC about the issue.

According to him, this measure traps us in a zero-sum game where everyone loses. He urges us to take a step back and recognize a frequently overlooked reality: the U.S. economy will be the first to suffer the consequences, even before the Canadian economy feels the impact.

While this announcement pushes Canadian companies to accelerate their diversification, on the U.S. side, businesses will have to absorb additional costs—directly or indirectly—on the products affected by these 25% tariffs… imposed by their own government.

→ Watch the full analysis

• Julien Martin, Full Professor, Department of Economics, ESG UQAM and Principal Researcher of the CIRANO Global Economy theme, has made a number of appearances in the media: 

- Donald Trump a-t-il vraiment intérêt à augmenter les droits de douane avec le Canada ?, Le journal de l'éco

- Des Québécois appellent à un boycottage des États-Unis, Le Devoir

- L'efficacité d'une campagne de boycottage: Entrevue avec Julien Martin, Radio Canada

- Contre les tarifs douaniers, les Canadiens se solidarisent pour acheter local, ICI Alberta

• Patrick Leblond, associate professor at the University of Ottawa and CIRANO Fellow, also spoke out in an interview on Radio Canada about the 30-day reprieve granted by the United States, and for him too, this measure is a no-win situation for anyone. 

→ Listen to the interview

• Martine Hébert, former Quebec Delegate General in New York and CIRANO Visiting Fellow, spoke several times on Radio Canada, in particular about Ottawa's multi-billion safeguard plan in the case of customs tariffs. 

→ Watch the interview