By Anthony Joseph
As we watch the unfolding political drama in the United States from the vantage point of Canada, it is often tempting to view the American presidency through the lens of corporate governance, particularly when a candidate brands himself as a successful businessman. For years, Donald Trump has flaunted his status as a wealthy entrepreneur, leveraging his name and legacy to sell an image of competence, leadership, and financial mastery. Yet, as the 2024 U.S. election looms, it becomes clear that this business-oriented veneer is beginning to crack, and Mark Cuban—a fellow billionaire and arguably America’s most recognizable business tycoon—seems determined to tear down the illusion altogether.
Cuban’s pointed critiques of Trump’s policies, particularly his reckless tariff decisions, paint a stark picture of how a lack of economic understanding can have far-reaching consequences for both American citizens and their neighbors. For those of us in Canada, the economic interdependence between our two nations means we must pay close attention to such policies, as they ripple across the border and affect our own markets.
One of the most baffling aspects of Trump’s economic policy is his reliance on tariffs, which he presents as a magic bullet to “protect” American jobs and industries. The reality, as Cuban points out, is that tariffs are effectively a tax on American consumers. Trump’s proposed 200% tariff on John Deere—a major agricultural machinery manufacturer—serves as a glaring example of how ill-considered these policies are. By threatening a beloved American company with such a crippling tariff, Trump is not only undermining the domestic industry he claims to protect, but also making it easier for Chinese competitors to swoop in and capture the market. This is the definition of counterproductive economic policy.
From a Canadian perspective, the implications of these tariffs are concerning. Trade between Canada and the U.S. is one of the most significant economic relationships in the world, with millions of jobs and billions of dollars in revenue tied to the smooth flow of goods across our border. When Trump imposes broad tariffs—particularly those that target key industries like agriculture, manufacturing, and automobiles—Canadian businesses also feel the impact. Prices on everything from groceries to cars could rise, with consumers on both sides of the border shouldering the burden.
Cuban’s critique of Trump doesn’t end with tariffs. He contrasts Trump’s erratic policymaking with Kamala Harris’s thorough, data-driven approach. Cuban admires Harris’s ability to present well-vetted, carefully considered policies, noting that she doesn’t rely on impulsive, crowd-pleasing soundbites. Harris, he says, can explain her ideas without needing a team of advisors to walk back or clarify her statements. In contrast, Trump’s public statements are often confusing, contradictory, and leave his team scrambling to interpret his meaning.
This difference in leadership style is significant. Canadian observers might remember the challenges posed by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) renegotiations during Trump’s first term. His erratic approach to trade deals left Canadian officials on edge, unsure of whether the world’s largest free-trade zone would survive. The eventual replacement, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), was far more complex and fraught than it needed to be, largely because of Trump’s unpredictable and often uninformed leadership.
For Canadian businesses and policymakers, predictability and clarity in U.S. governance are essential. A candidate like Kamala Harris, who prioritizes meticulous planning and a clear presentation of her policies, offers a level of stability that Trump simply cannot. As Cuban highlights, Harris doesn’t leave room for guesswork or sudden changes in direction—a stark contrast to Trump, whose decisions often seem dictated by the whims of the moment.
One of the most alarming aspects of Trump’s presidency was his obsession with presenting himself as a successful businessman, despite a litany of failed ventures. From Trump Airlines to Trump Vodka, and the infamous Trump University, the former president’s business record is littered with bankruptcies and lawsuits. Cuban, as one of the most respected entrepreneurs in the U.S. has called out these failures, warning that Trump’s business acumen is more of a marketing ploy than a reality.
As Canadians, we must recognize that Trump’s brand of economic nationalism—fueled by tariffs and protectionism—harms not only the U.S. but also its trade partners, including Canada. His simplistic view of trade as a zero-sum game, where one country’s gain is another’s loss, ignores the complexities of global supply chains and the mutual benefits of free trade. The increased costs from tariffs don’t just affect U.S. consumers; they trickle down to Canadian businesses and consumers, raising prices and disrupting industries.
Cuban’s endorsement of Harris is particularly significant in this context. He sees in her a leader who understands the nuances of policy and has the foresight to avoid the kind of economic blunders Trump routinely makes. Cuban’s endorsement isn’t based on partisan loyalty or ideological alignment; it’s rooted in a practical, business-minded assessment of who is better suited to lead. And for Canada, having a competent, stable, and predictable U.S. president is invaluable.
As we continue to watch the U.S. election unfold, Canadians must remain vigilant about the economic policies being proposed south of the border. A second Trump term could bring further disruption to trade relations, more damaging tariffs, and an unpredictable economic environment. Mark Cuban’s critiques remind us that the U.S. presidency is not a role that can be filled by someone who fails to grasp basic economic principles. As one of the world’s largest economies, the decisions made by the U.S. president have a profound impact beyond their borders, and Canadians have a vested interest in ensuring that the leader of our largest trading partner is someone with a steady hand and a clear vision.
The allure of Trump’s businessman persona may have carried him through one election, but as Mark Cuban so clearly outlines, that illusion is crumbling. From reckless tariffs to impulsive policies, Trump’s approach to leadership is anything but business savvy. For Canadians, who rely heavily on stable and predictable trade relations with the U.S., the stakes are high. We need a U.S. president who understands the importance of thoughtful, well-vetted policies—and as Cuban has pointed out, Kamala Harris offers that in spades.
Anthony Joseph is the publisher of the Caribbean Camera
These views are his and not that of the newspaper.