By OBBM Network Editorial Staff

Christian Briggs

President Trump’s decision to impose a 50% tariff on Canadian imports has sent shockwaves through the economic community, with many experts predicting a potentially devastating impact on global trade. But according to Christian Briggs, host of On The Record with Christian Briggs, this move is a necessary step towards creating a more level playing field for American businesses.

The Tariff Plan: A Negotiating Tactic?

Christian Briggs believes that the tariff plan is a negotiating tactic, designed to bring Canada to the table and secure a more favorable trade agreement for the United States. ‘President Trump is not wrong to want a more fair playing field,’ Briggs says. ‘If you look at the amount of premium or tariff or fees to get into the United States, it’s an interesting way of negotiating a much more fair playing field when it comes to the export-import of products from Canada into the U.S. and U.S. into Canada.’

The Impact on Consumers

One of the main concerns surrounding the tariff plan is the potential impact on consumers. With prices likely to rise as a result of the tariffs, many are worried about the effect on their wallets. However, Briggs argues that this is a short-term challenge that will ultimately lead to long-term prosperity. ‘Tariffs are negotiating for a long-term strategic investment,’ he says. ‘What President Trump is saying, we’re making an investment in the long-term growth of both domestic manufacturing for export as well as bringing home a lot of the money that we’re losing with trade deficits.’

A Bold Move or Economic Suicide?

While some have criticized the tariff plan as ‘economic suicide,’ Briggs believes that it is a bold move that will ultimately pay off. ‘I think that’s bingo,’ he says, referring to the potential for the tariffs to lead to a more favorable trade agreement. ‘Remember, President Trump is going to always put America first. So American workers will come first. American manufacturers, American farmers. I mean, he loves the American farmers. He’s gone out of his way to make sure that the farmers have, first and foremost, opportunities to sell outside the United States.’

The full episode of On The Record with Christian Briggs is available on OBBM Network TV.