The 21st Show

Where does Illinois stand in U.S.-Canada trade war?

Produced by Christine Hatfield
 
Every year, tens of billions of dollars' worth of goods and services go back and forth between Illinois and Canada.

Every year, tens of billions of dollars' worth of goods and services go back and forth between Illinois and Canada. Bruce Leighty/Adobe Stock

Illinois has deep economic ties to Canada. At this very moment, a Canadian National train might be pulling tons of goods across the state or maybe drivers roll up the windows when driving past one of the petrochemical plants refining Canadian crude oil into gasoline. Every year, tens of billions of dollars' worth of goods and services go back and forth between Illinois and Canada.

And yet, President Donald Trump has consistently alienated Canada since returning to office last year — talking about making the sovereign country as a “51st state,” and launching a trade war that has the U.S. imposing 50% tariffs on each other’s goods.

So what does this mean for Illinois — which counts Canada as it’s number one international trading partner? Trade and business experts as well as the head of an Illinois-based manufacturers organization weigh in. 

GUESTS

Stuart Trew
Senior Researcher and Director of the Trade and Investment Research Project, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

Dr. Barbara Ribbens
Director of the Carson and Iris Varner International Business Institute, Illinois State University 

Mark Denzler 
President and CEO, Illinois Manufacturers Association