Former U.S. ambassador to the UN says tariff impact will be ‘enormous,’ slams ‘reckless’ Signal group chat
Former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice has raised concerns about the economic consequences of President Donald Trump’s tariffs on both American and Canadian consumers. In an interview on CBC’s Rosemary Barton Live, Rice emphasized the impact tariffs will have on the economies of both countries.
Rice stated, “The consequences will be enormous for the American consumer who will pay a great deal more for cars and many other things, obviously also for Canadian consumers and [the] economies of both countries. This is really a self-defeating and ill-advised economic policy. But it also has no clear rationale or objective.”
President Trump recently signed an executive order to impose a new 25 per cent tariff on imported passenger vehicles and light trucks. In response, Liberal Leader Mark Carney declared that the era of close ties with the U.S. had come to an end. Rice agreed with Carney’s assessment, acknowledging the strain on the relationship between the two countries.
As a former national security adviser to President Barack Obama, Rice also criticized the Trump administration’s handling of national security issues. She referred to a recent security breach involving a journalist being included in a Signal group chat discussing U.S. military action against the Houthis in Yemen, calling the approach “reckless and negligent.”
Regarding intelligence-sharing with Canada and other allies, Rice emphasized the importance of maintaining the mutually beneficial relationship while ensuring that information is kept secure. She stressed the need for all parties to demand secure handling of shared information to protect the trust and reliance built over decades.
Overall, Rice’s insights shed light on the complex challenges facing the U.S. and its allies in the current political and economic climate. The repercussions of Trump’s tariffs and the administration’s handling of national security issues underscore the need for thoughtful and strategic decision-making in international relations.
