In his inaugural address, U.S. President Donald Trump declared that he would overhaul the American trade system and establish an External Revenue Service to collect “massive” tariffs, duties and other revenue. Later that day, he said he was considering imposing tariffs on Canada and Mexico on Feb. 1.

Canada is targeted for political, economic and ideological reasons, some defensible, others divorced from the facts. To protect our national interest, the government must understand his mindset, navigate a perilous landscape and respond convincingly to his more reasonable demands.