text: Tough talk with the Americans may be the best strategy at various times, but boasting about tough talk is a dubious strategy. As for her anecdote about 'walking away' over the EU trade deal...I'm reminded of that cringeworthy 'And then I rolled the dice' TV interview with Brian Mulroney over the Meech Lake Accord. 
  
  It's interesting that never, since perhaps the War of 1812, has Canada had to consider the possibility of a US administration that may actually wish to do us harm. And make no mistake, someone as unstable, unprincipled, and self-absorbed as Donald Trump can do a lot of harm. Of course we stand up for our social and democratic principles, and point out in clear terms the damage that could be done to the US in any 'trade war' scenario. We also lobby strongly the governors of 15 or so states for which we are their largest market. But let's keep the 'tough talk rhetoric' to a minimum, and focus on desired results.