While many Canadians may find it difficult to remember a Canada-U.S. relationship that wasn’t defined by free trade between the two countries, it’s a relatively recent development.

For most of the history of our two nations, tariffs and trade barriers were a fact of life.

Canada’s special relationship with the United States may have helped it secure exemptions and trade pacts to make both countries more prosperous, but U.S. presidents have, at times, been happy to step out on that relationship in the name of nation-building.