Trump tariffs would hit Canada 'faster and harder' than most: former top Trudeau aide

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's former principal secretary Gerald Butts says Donald Trump's proposed 10 per cent tariffs on imports would hit Canada "faster and harder than just about anyone else," given the close trading relationship between the two countries.

The former U.S. president and current Republican candidate has called for a minimum tariff of 10 per cent on all imports entering the United States. Sources have told CBC News that Trump's allies have offered no assurances of a reprieve for Canada.

In an interview with CBC's The House, Butts told host Catherine Cullen that he's "not sure there's going to be a way of talking Donald Trump out of this."

"So it's more how do you prepare for that, and how do you prepare for the inevitable global economic fallout that's going to come from a Trump presidency?" he said.

As Trudeau's top aide, Butts took part in multiple meetings with Trump during his presidency.

He said that while he would like to tell people that Trump's behaviour is "an act for the cameras, it's not. The person that you see in front of the cameras is the same person that you see behind closed doors."

Butts said Trump is not afraid to wield access to the U.S. market to get what he wants out of negotiations.

"He believes the winner of all negotiations happens to be the person who has the most leverage," he added.

Canada already has started talks with members of Trump inner circle about avoiding new trade tariffs if he's elected. The federal government has warned of retaliation on U.S. goods if the tariffs are imposed on Canada.

Butts said Trump "is a relationship person," so it's "important to have a cordial and working professional relationship with the people around him."

Butts said he spent time with Trump's son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner and Trump's one-time trade czar Robert Lighthizer — who has cited past U.S. tariffs as success stories.

"I'm not sure who those people will be in those roles next time, but developing that personal relationship is really important because [Trump] leans on it," Butts said. "It's the modus operandi from his time in the private sector."

Canadian officials have reached out to both the Harris and Trump campaigns to seek a congratulatory phone call with the winner, according to a senior government source.

Butts warned that, even if Democratic candidate Kamala Harris wins the election, Canada can't just "kick back and think that everything's going to be rosy."