Learning Objectives
- Explore key trade challenges and means to address unpredictable world market trends and volatile protectionist ideologies.
- Identify relationship and ideological obstacles with changing geopolitical. For example, the United States has phased in limits on free trade and this has impacted Canada and its friends.
Emergent Trade and Ideological Relationships: Canada: The Phoenix Arises!
Canada faces uncertain times as trade and ideological relationships are shaken. In 2025, some Canadian items were reported as being subject to tariffs which would significantly affect exporters, importers, and manufacturers (Benchetrit, 2025, Crowther, 2025, Previl, 2025).
U.S. businesses who import goods from abroad often face challenges connected to tariffs. During, for instance, President Trump’s administration, these issues became especially controversial, contributing to legal actions and critical public review. Businesses like Learning Resources and Hand2Mind in the United States brought a case before a federal court in Illinois, which ultimately ruled in their favour (Nishimura, 2025). Governments comprise people and they are imperfect. Checks and balances are a means to optimise government actions and decision-making processes. Some systems are healthier than others and provide several opportunities for review. Governments including republics often work best when parties make decisions on the merits rather than overriding partisanship (Kennedy, A.) .
Emergent Trade and Ideological Relationships: Legal and Political Institutions
U.S. businesses, different state attorney generals, and a diversity of corporations argued that President Trump’s tariffs exceeded his authority under existing law. The boundaries between legal and political institutions can become blurred and each have a role to play in healthy democratic societies (Hughes, et al, 2003).
The Courts
Courts often exercise statutory and constitutional authority (Douglas, 2002).
Statutory Authority
This denotes the authority that legislative bodies grant to courts. When courts interpret and implement statutes (laws), they are drawing on their statutory power. For instance, a court could interpret a law to determine whether someone’s actions were intra vires. This term denotes acts that are within the scope of administrative powers.
Constitutional Authority
This is related to the courts’ role in interpreting and implementing the Constitution. Courts, often have the authority to review government actions and whether they have breached constitutional safeguards becoming ultra vires (Douglas, 2006). Under the doctrine of legality an action needs to be legitimately exercised. Moreover, actions should not exceed the authority given to presidents under governing legislation and legal principles. Also, presidential powers would generally need to conform to procedural regularity.
Both statutory and constitutional authorities are essential for safeguarding the rule of law and determining if both statutory laws and governmental actions are consistent with constitutional principles. Actions need to be taken for proper purposes, featuring in relevant aspects while excluding irrelevant factors. Concerns have arisen about the lawfulness of imposing tariffs under the Trump administration. Tensions between the various arms of government, including the legislative, the executive, and the judicial arms, serve as a check and balance in democratic systems. Overall, decisions need to be reasonable, and certain, drawing on evidentiary support (Douglas, 2006).
The International Emergency Economic Powers Act
A commercial rule known as the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), was introduced during President Jimmy Carter’s administration. Central and current legal questions are whether the IEEPA grants presidential power to manipulate global commerce? Under President Trump’s administration has a threshold been reached in the United States involving an “unusual and extraordinary threat” that gives rise to a national emergency, and justifies the president’s actions?
The International Emergency Economic Powers Act and The Tariffs
Under IEEPA, the president can levy sanctions, freeze assets, and restrict transactions to safeguard the United States from bad faith actions and unlawful activities. Learning Resources and Hand2Mind argued that IEEPA does not explicitly authorise the use of tariffs. Could President Trump’s administration may have exceeded its authority by drawing on IEEPA to justify the levying of tariffs? This could cost U.S. consumers and businesses billions of dollars (Nishimura, 2025). Strains happen between the law-making, enforcement, and judiciary branches. These create a system of power and control in democratic governments like the U.S.
In April 2025, plaintiffs ranging from companies, such as, V.O.S. Selections Inc and six state governments in the United States questioned the trafficking and global tariffs (Zirpoli, 2025). IEEPA nuances give rise to key questions, for example, about statutory interpretation. For instance, how applicable is the legal rule of ejusdem generis and to what extent does this shape presidential powers? Congress has the authority to clarify the Trump administrations scope of powers under IEEPA (Zirpoli, 2025). For example, a later act can derogate an earlier one.
The International Emergency Economic Powers Act and Plain Language
Applying the ejusdem generis principle suggests that unless tariffs are of the same class as the specific measures listed in the statute, they may not be covered under IEEPA’s delegated authority (Hughes et al., 2003). The term “tariff” does not appear in the plain language of the IEEPA. This omission has raised substantial legal questions about whether the imposition of tariffs falls within the scope of the president’s emergency economic powers under the Act. However, it could be that there is no one exclusive reading of the law and that texts are open to various interpretations (Douglas, 2006).
Emergent Trade and Ideological Relationships:Geopolitical Ramifications
Beyond the legal challenges, the imposition of tariffs may have more general geopolitical repercussions. 2025 has seen some intriguing patterns in global trade. For instance, countries are called upon to revaluate their trade connections. The U.S. apparently risks, in the current geopolitical and economic context, becoming more isolated in trade, while other countries form closer, more stable partnerships.
Doug Ford, who is the Premier of Ontario, as reported by Previl (2025), listed trading partners like Japan, Korea, the United Kingdom, and France. Emergent trade and ideological relationships could reflect a shift toward more stable, predictable relationships, including for Canada. The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is an illustrative example of this development, and it engages a diverse range of countries including Australia, Brunei, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. This Partnership shows promise for facilitating resilient economic ties, particularly as global trade faces increasing uncertainties.
By aligning with the CPTPP, countries like Canada can optimise secure access to markets in the Asia-Pacific. This assists in lessening challenges arising from an increasingly uncertain U.S. trade policy. The U.S. trade system has seemingly become volatile, particularly in 2025 with protectionist measures.
Why Impose the Tariffs?
Crowther (2025) stated, “Trump has repeatedly cited fentanyl as one of the justifications for launching a trade war against Canada. However, a July 1 report from The Manhattan Institute found that large Canadian-border seizures were “relatively rare,” with only one per cent of fentanyl pills, capsules or tablets seized coming from up north.” President Trump’s administration claimed that, for example, Canada is not curbing the unlawful movement of Fentanyl into the United States (Zahn, 2025).
Limiting the Illicit Drug Trade
The issues connected to unlawful substances are intricate and generally may intersect with public health, law enforcement, and international relations. Individuals, couples, families, and collectives may experience chronic dependencies and deaths linked to unlawful drug use. Understanding, compassion, and collaboration ranging from individuals to states are highly desirable rather than mainly relying on punitive measures, such as, trade sanctions.
By fostering respect, dialogue, and cooperation, people may pave the way for more sustainable and effective diplomatic strategies. States can unite to mitigate the effects of illicit substances. Collaborative efforts to tackle drug-related matters, for example, through law enforcement initiatives, are essential. It is possible that the underlying causes of illicit drug use are associated, for instance, with cognitive health issues, strained relationships, and insufficient support in areas such as health, education and training, and support initiatives.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.” (The Ode of Remembrance; as cited by the Australian Army, n.d).
Emergent Trade and Ideological Relationships: Planetary Narratives
Global discussions and negotiations can play a vital role in lessening drug-related challenges. Countries like Canada and the United States have varying cultural perspectives on drug use, and their policies reflect idiosyncratic, yet at times overlapping social, economic, and political landscapes. Thus, international collaboration could be essential to curtail cartel operations.
There are clear challenges associated with illicit substances, including chronic addiction and deaths. State actors are likely to acknowledge the human issues related to unlawful drugs. However, monitoring and enforcement are often more effectively met through respect, extending from individuals to states.
The Trade Wars
Trade wars, for example, like the one introduced during President Trump’s administration, include the levying of tariffs and other barriers to international trade. Could it be that, for a period, among the most badly impacted by these tariff’s are the United States’ neighbours – Canada and Mexico (Editor, 2025)? How might this impact the Trump administration’s possible plans for territorial expansionism (Jones, 2025)? The answers to these questions are likely to become clearer over time. Trade wars can impact currency exchange rates (August, et. al, 2012). For example, with limited trade flows, Central Bank responses and uncertain markets.
Trade wars are particularly experienced by countries that are heavily dependent on exports and who face the imposition of punitive tariffs. Such currencies as the Australian and Canadian dollars, British pound, and the Chinese Yuan are impacted in various degrees of magnitude by global trade trends. Dialogue, negotiations, mediation, counselling, and support can be entry points for sharing power rather than imposing dominance over other life forms; including flora and fauna.
Emergent Trade and Ideological Relationships: Punitive Tariffs and the Ripple Effects on Parks
Parks often depend on state support. Economic strain might make it challenging to provide adequate means for maintenance, staffing, and conservation initiatives. For instance Milliken (2025) points out the detriment to the United Kingdom with lower orders from the United States and increased supply chain and customer costs. Therein lies the seeds of trade wars. Furthermore, with increased import costs, for example, building materials, fuel for transportation, and green technology, it could be more challenging for parks to remain functional and maintain needed improvements.
Emergent Trade and Ideological Relationships: Realities in Conflict
Cartels are able to transport drugs through sophisticated means such as narco-subs that seemingly travel the length and breadth of ocean waters (Editor, 2024; McNeill & Quirk, 2024). Cartel activities call for planetary collaboration and security frameworks, which often exceed the capabilities of a single nation such as Canada, currently grappling with the repercussions of coercive trade relations with its traditional ally – the United States. Read more about these unlawful activities and the impacts of substances in Counselling and the Oceans.
Economic pressures include the following.
Emergent Trade and Ideological Relationships: Harsh Trade Obstacles
The Trump administration often targets central industries, such as, technology, agriculture, and steel. Thus, the costs for planetary buyers and sellers escalate. However, geopolitical systems are often in a regular state of flux; meaningful change can happen!
Emergent Trade and Ideological Relationships: Shrinking Budgets and Limited Investments
As costs rise, organisations may experience shrinking profit margins and must lessen spending, including in aspects such as:
- International expansion
- Research and development
- Hiring and wage
Impacts on Branches and Subsidiaries
Multinational and other organisations may:
- Layoff staff or reduce operations in foreign branches
- Delay or terminate expansion plans
- Revaluate supply chains and sourcing strategies
Emergent Trade and Ideological Relationships: Shaken National and International Policies
Municipal to regional economies could experience the burden initially, particularly where production or export activity is pooled. This in turn, affects national policies, as states try to do more with less and formulate targeted interventions.
Subsequently, International markets tend to lose confidence, which may gives rise to:
- Foreign direct divestment
- Fluctuating exchange rates
- Swings in stock and commodity markets
Emergent Trade and Ideological Relationships: Navigating Uncertain Times
Retributive policies and practices impact, for instance, branches and subsidiaries. Constrained budgets influence planetary markets, trade barriers, and imbalances become exacerbated. Consequently, these factors affect, for example, investment policies and trading in securities, commodity agreements, and supply chains at municipal, regional, national, and international levels. Read more about emergent relationships in Revisiting Free Trade: Oh’ Canada.
Emergent Trade and Ideological Relationships: Where to From Here?
If you own a business, are an investor, or administer your own private financial portfolios, these uncertain times may be increasing your anxiety. Please note these are complex, interconnected matters that seem to impact each aspect of the economy and can trickle down to other aspects of your personal and social life.
The Trade Commissioner of Canada (2025) provides resources including practical advice ranging from problem-solving to trade diversification suggestions.
Problem-Solving
- This is a time to adjust practices to limit trade barriers connected to tariffs.
- Revaluate customs policies and practices.
- Rethink strategies about non-tariff barriers like certification or licensing matters.
Trade Diversification
- Spread the net wide and consider alternative markets for impacted goods.
- Reach out to other stakeholders to formulate and revise export plans.
- Learn more about free trade agreements that could offer tariff relief or access to emergent markets.
Be Informed
- Access customs categorisation recommendations.
- Make adjustments regarding logistics, shipping, and pricing strategies.
- Review Free Trade Agreements – Canada has agreements like the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (Government of Canada, 2018) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (Government of Canada, 2025b). These kinds of agreements could emergent engender sustainable trade, helping to lessen losses. Moreover, the Government of Canada continues to support Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (Government of Canada, 2024; Previl, 2025). Moreover, the Trump administration seems to value this too (Prime Minister of Canada, 2025)! Concerns, for instance, arise about the goods and services that fall out of CUSMA’s protective scope. For information about the Pacific Region check out Exploring Aspects of Maritime Life and Counselling and the Oceans.
- Read more about trade agreements in Revisiting Free Trade: Oh’ Canada.
- Stay updated and seek out information and advice from a range of government and private services.
Support is Available
If you are affected by the burden of economic and life challenges help is available. These uncertain times call for online mediation, relationships counselling, and outreach support services to alleviate financial worries and their consequences.
How It Works
Initial Pre-Consultation
We collaborate with you to evaluate your unique needs.
Customised Plan
In light of your circumstances, we create with you a tailored strategy that may encompass mediation, counselling, and support for instance ranging from stress management, to functional evaluations.
Ongoing Support
We conduct regular follow-ups modifying the strategy with you as necessary. You can read more at How to Contact Us and Connect.
In Closing
- There are benefits to drawing from government and non-government sources to inform both national and international economic and social policies.
- Problem-solving, trade diversification, and practical advice strategies can inform economic and social practices.
- These elements collectively contribute to navigating trade and ideological relationships.
References
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https://www.army.gov.au/about-us/history-and-research/traditions/ode
Benchetrit, J. (2025, July 11). CUSMA-compliant goods exempt from Trump’s latest tariff threat on Canada. CBC. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/trump-tariff-cusma-1.7582740
Charter of Rights and Freedoms, s 15, Part 1 of the Constitution Act, 1982, being Schedule B to the Canada Act 1982 (UK), 1982, c 11.
https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/csj-sjc/rfc-dlc/ccrf-ccdl/check/art15.html
Crowther, H. (2025, July 11). Canada aims for new U.S. trade deal by Aug. 1 as Trump threatens 35% tariffs: Carney. CTV.
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https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-pacific-drug-trafficking-route-narco-subs-colombia/
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Milliken, D. (2025, June 12). British exports to US suffer record hit from Trump tariffs. Reuters.
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N-T
Nishimura, K. (2025, June 17). US Companies Take Trump Tariff Suit to Supreme Court. Sourcing Journal.
https://sourcingjournal.com/topics/trade/us-companies-trump-tariff-lawsuit-supreme-court-trade-deals-1234751524/
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https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/LSB11332