Episode 45: Jonathan Fried on U.S-Canada Relations and the future of North American Cooperation

In this episode Peter and Pru host long-time friend and veteran diplomat Jonathan Fried. Jonathan brings decades of experience and insights from a distinguished career including serving as the Canadian ambassador to Japan, Coordinator for International Economic Relations at Global Affairs Canda, and as Canada’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organisation.

Jonathan takes listeners through the ongoing turbulence in Canada’s trade relations with the US. Following on from President Trump’s renewed tariff threats against Canada, this episode provides an in depth look at what new tariffs might mean for Canadian trade relations with the US as well as what other US trading partners should make of the latest fracas. Discussion then turns towards competition between Washington and Beijing and their mutual trade dependencies in areas relevant to national security, as well as whether the idea of ‘Fortress America’ is either possible or desirable. In closing out discussion, Jonathan, Peter and Pru discuss possibilities for WTO reform and what the organisation may do in working to renew itself and adapt to the changing international climate.

Recorded on 22 June 2026