As I write this, some of the U.S. tariffs aimed at Canada are temporarily on hold. What’s next? Things will continue to evolve on that front. That’s about all we know.
There are so many lenses to aim at what’s going on, it’s hard to know where to focus. Like peeling back the layers of an onion: from a North American perspective; from a Canadian perspective; from an automotive perspective. Even within automotive, the landscape looks very different for those who manufacture here as compared to those brands that sell but don’t build here.
An industry that has been chasing moving targets related to EV transition and ZEV mandates now faces more uncertainty than perhaps ever before.
How much of what’s coming from Washington is, if you’ll forgive the expression, just the art of the deal?
How much is a dark window into an ambition to create a world dominated by three global powers? A world where might makes right? In that world, what is the role, place and opportunity for the many mid-sized powers in the world of which Canada is one?
As I try to make sense of things I thought I’d share a quote from former Prime Minister Stephen Harper:
“Canada is big enough to make a difference, but not big enough to threaten anybody. And that is a huge asset if it’s properly used.”
I believe this is true. I believe that part of our focus and energy must be to step into the broader global context and help define the role and opportunity for mid-sized nations in the new world order that is being created, a seismic shift to the world order that has dominated since the end of the Second World War.
Canada needs to continue to approach our relationship with the United States in the most positive manner possible. At the same time, we need to deepen our relationships with other countries, including China and Europe.
We’re like a small company whose revenue is dominated by one single, large client. Of course that company needs to continue to develop that client relationship. But it also needs to diversify its revenue base to reduce and manage risk.
I’ll try and do my bit. I am spending a good part of April in China participating in CADA’s industry tour. I hope to see conversations start there that lead to new commercial opportunities. I’ll be heading to Europe and the UK to start discussions there as well.
We are fiercely proud to be Canadian. We are eager to connect to the broader world as Canadians. And we are eager to play our part in growing this country.
I’ll leave you with a quote from William Lyon Mackenzie King, who led Canada through a time of incredible international upheaval:
“I have seen in my time many nations rise and fall, but I have never seen a nation as fortunate as Canada. We have been blessed with a land of unparalleled beauty and richness, and we have been blessed with a people of great courage and great heart.”
