Tariff Wars - Fact or Fiction

President Elect, Donald Trump, has levelled his most severe threat against Canada in years, warning that on his first day in office he might impose punishing economic tariffs across North America.

The looming threat of new U.S. tariffs has become a significant concern for Canadian businesses, policymakers, and workers.

Join us for an insightful event that will explore the potential ramifications of these proposed tariffs from an economic, political, and business perspective. 
 

MEET YOUR SPEAKERS

Robert Huish
Associate Professor, International Development Studies, Dalhousie University

Robert Huish is an Associate Professor in International Development Studies at Dalhousie. His expertise includes work on understanding the efficacy and impact of sanctions. He has published widely on international topics that relate to health and security matters in Cuba, North Korea, China, Russia, and the Pacific. Bob has offered strategic consulting services to NATO, the European Union, and the Japanese government on sanctions design and security strategies.
He teaches courses in Social Science and was awarded the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Teaching Award in 2023. He is a renowned learning experience designer, having worked with academic and private sector partners globally on building innovative online curricula. Bob is also the host of the Global Development Primer Podcast, which is available wherever you enjoy your podcasts.

Jean-Paul Deveau
President and CEO, Acadian Seaplants Limited

Jean-Paul Deveau (JP) is the President and CEO of Acadian Seaplants Limited, a biotech company and the largest independent manufacturer of marine plant products of its type in the world. It is engaged primarily in the sustainable harvesting of wild seaweeds and in the cultivation of unique marine plants for the development of products for people, animals, and plants. Acadian Seaplants exports to over 80 countries, operates six processing facilities in Atlantic Canada, Ireland, and Scotland, employs over 500 people in 19 countries, including 48 scientists – 17 with PhDs.

Acadian Seaplants has received significant government and industry recognition for its innovation, accomplishments in science and technology, management, environmental stewardship, business ethics, safety, export excellence, and community service. His company has been one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for over 22 consecutive years.

Pierre Cléroux
Vice President, Research and Chief Economist, BDC

Pierre Cléroux was appointed Vice President, Research and Chief Economist at BDC in 2012.
Pierre leads a team of experts who analyze economic data to identify business and sector trends impacting Canadian entrepreneurs. A seasoned speaker, he regularly travels across the country to help business owners understand the risks and opportunities presented by the economic environment. Mr. Cléroux is also responsible for providing economic analysis and advice to the Bank’s senior management team, and supervises all marketing and industry research activities.

Over his 25-year career as an economist, he has held several influential positions that had a direct impact on entrepreneurs in Canada and abroad.

Before joining BDC, Pierre worked for the Government of Saudi Arabia as Vice President, Business Analysis in the National Industry Clusters Development Program. And previously, Mr. Cléroux was the Quebec Assistant Deputy Minister for Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade, responsible for the implementation of economic policies and programs to support small and medium-sized businesses and encourage entrepreneurship.

Pierre is President of the Financial Services, Capital and Economy Committee of the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ). He holds a Bachelor of Arts and a master’s degree in Economics from Laval University, as well as an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management.