Why Canada? America’s northern neighbor seems an unlikely target for a trade war

Canada, America's closest northern neighbor, may seem an improbable target for a trade war. The two nations share an extensive trade relationship, with Canada purchasing more goods from the U.S. than any other country. In fact, Canada is the second-largest export market for American farmers after Mexico. The two nations also share a trade pact that allows most American products to enter Canada duty-free.

Despite this, President Trump has accused Canada of being a "predator out to cheat the United States and strangle its industries." He has vowed to take action against Canada, including imposing tariffs on Canadian products and even banning some Canadian goods. This abrupt turn of events has caught Canada off guard, as they have traditionally relied on international commerce to fuel their economy.