"Many suppliers will decide that paying a 2.5 per cent tariff is the better option, reducing competitiveness and jobs," said the study, done by the association by Boston Consulting Group.

What this group doesn't consider is that the US is in control of what duties it applies to imports from other countries. So, perhaps it will replace the 2.5% tariff with a 20% tariff. What will the auto industry do then?

If Trump gets his way, we should impose a 30% duty on all cars imported into Canada from the US and give Japanese and Korean auto manufacturers duty free access to our markets for vehicles produced in their home countries. That will limit  available vehicle choices (particularly trucks) but it will idle US plants and send a message.