Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 15 hours ago
On this episode of Boom and Bust, host Tony Clement sits down with economist Trevor Tombe, professor of economics at the University of Calgary and senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, to break down the escalating Canada-U.S. trade tensions.
They dig into the 50% U.S. tariffs now hitting roughly 5% of Canadian exports, whether this really qualifies as a "trade war," and why Trevor sees it more as a domestic U.S. tax policy choice than a targeted attack on Canada. The conversation covers the case for (and against) retaliation, the estimated 90,000 Canadian jobs at risk, rising food and consumer prices, and why Canada's biggest economic challenge isn't Trump at all — it's a decade of weak productivity growth.
From internal trade barriers and credential recognition to tax and regulatory reform, Trevor makes the case that Canada's economic future is largely within our own control.
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 — Welcome & introducing Trevor Tombe
0:35 — The breakdown of Canada-U.S. trade talks
1:49 — Is this really a trade war?
3:45 — Tariffs, the $40 trillion debt & funding the U.S. government
5:36 — Should Canada retaliate?
8:11 — The economic fallout: 90,000 jobs at risk
9:20 — Rising prices: food & consumer costs
11:03 — Diversifying trade beyond the U.S.
13:08 — Is a palatable deal possible?
15:05 — Oil, gas & booze bans as retaliation tools
16:31 — Canada's real problem: productivity & structural reform
18:35 — Internal trade, credentials & tax reform
21:02 — Final word: are booze bans a good idea?
21:34 — Wrap-up & thanks
GUEST
• Trevor Tombe: Economics Professor - University Of Calgary
Boom and Bust
Host: Tony Clement
FOLLOW US
• Subscribe: youtube.com/@TheNewsForum
• Twitter/X: https://x.com/thenewsforum_
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/the-news-forum
TAGS
#BoomAndBust #TonyClement #TrevorTombe #CanadaUSTrade #Tariffs #TradeWar #CanadianEconomy #Trump #EconomicPolicy #MacdonaldLaurier #UniversityOfCalgary #CarneyGovernment #Retaliation #Productivity #TaxReform #FoodInflation #InternalTrade #CanadianPolitics #Economics #GDP
On this episode of Boom and Bust, host Tony Clement sits down with economist Trevor Tombe, professor of economics at the University of Calgary and senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, to break down the escalating Canada-U.S. trade tensions.
They dig into the 50% U.S. tariffs now hitting roughly 5% of Canadian exports, whether this really qualifies as a "trade war," and why Trevor sees it more as a domestic U.S. tax policy choice than a targeted attack on Canada. The conversation covers the case for (and against) retaliation, the estimated 90,000 Canadian jobs at risk, rising food and consumer prices, and why Canada's biggest economic challenge isn't Trump at all — it's a decade of weak productivity growth.
From internal trade barriers and credential recognition to tax and regulatory reform, Trevor makes the case that Canada's economic future is largely within our own control.
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 — Welcome & introducing Trevor Tombe
0:35 — The breakdown of Canada-U.S. trade talks
1:49 — Is this really a trade war?
3:45 — Tariffs, the $40 trillion debt & funding the U.S. government
5:36 — Should Canada retaliate?
8:11 — The economic fallout: 90,000 jobs at risk
9:20 — Rising prices: food & consumer costs
11:03 — Diversifying trade beyond the U.S.
13:08 — Is a palatable deal possible?
15:05 — Oil, gas & booze bans as retaliation tools
16:31 — Canada's real problem: productivity & structural reform
18:35 — Internal trade, credentials & tax reform
21:02 — Final word: are booze bans a good idea?
21:34 — Wrap-up & thanks
GUEST
• Trevor Tombe: Economics Professor - University Of Calgary
Boom and Bust
Host: Tony Clement
FOLLOW US
• Subscribe: youtube.com/@TheNewsForum
• Twitter/X: https://x.com/thenewsforum_
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/the-news-forum
TAGS
#BoomAndBust #TonyClement #TrevorTombe #CanadaUSTrade #Tariffs #TradeWar #CanadianEconomy #Trump #EconomicPolicy #MacdonaldLaurier #UniversityOfCalgary #CarneyGovernment #Retaliation #Productivity #TaxReform #FoodInflation #InternalTrade #CanadianPolitics #Economics #GDP
