Trump faces a critical midterm election year, and the possibility that the Republican majorities in the US House and Senate could be lost to Democratic challengers, crippling the president's legislative agenda for the rest of his term. Crucial to the Republican effort to maintain its hold on Congress — or mitigate its losses — is continued support from Trump's voters.
"With Trump, the objective is to get something to boast about and exaggerate before the November elections," professor Rasmus said, "and to whip up his base to get them to think he's doing something about ‘America first' economic nationalism."
"Trump wants something better for US corporations. But I believe he will accept something relatively minor with regard to the allies," the political economist said.
Ottawa lodged a complaint with the World Trade Organization Friday about US-imposed tariffs on metals that the Canadian government maintains are "illegal."