free trade

Carney has noted, however, that due to the duties exemption under the current free trade deal, Canada is facing lower tariffs than other countries.

"We're a country that has always done very well with open trade, free trade. And this is really the merchant side of Dutch policy," she says.

And many food imports from Mexico - America's single biggest foreign food supplier - were already spared tariffs, due to White House exemptions for goods covered by a US, Mexico and Canada free trade agreement.

Canada is currently facing 35% tariffs on its goods - although most are exempt under an existing North American free trade agreement - as well as individual levies targeting particular industries like car and steel manufacturing.

Then, as now, the two-party system holds diametrically opposing views of America: big versus small government, free trade versus punitive tariffs, a wealth class versus the needs of the common people.