L T B,

You have a sadly trusting faith in the good will and commitment to fair dealing of the new US President regarding Canada. This week, when announcing his policy regarding Keystone XL in which he demanded that all pipe be manufactured in the US and not Canada (contrary to the spirit and probably the letter of NAFTA), we saw first direct hints of his determination to use every opportunity to squeeze out concessions from Canada.

Further, he was quite prepared casually to provoke a trade war with Mexico thereby collaterally disrupting important supply and production chains upon which Canadian trade and commerce depend

This is not the time for Canada to isolate itself from other countries besides the US or for Canadians to be divided domestically.  When Canada's time comes for direct negotiations with the US, we will need every foreign alternative market and advantage and all the strength and determination to which we can rise, if we are to avoid a very harsh outcome.