Canada

Inside AI Policy quoted Lawrence Zhang in coverage of ITIF’s pro-growth strategy for the Canadian tech industry.

The Canadian economy is shifting faster than its institutions are. This playbook lays out an agenda to address what Canada must fix, build, and scale in order to compete through technology.

Canada has long embraced its identity as a “middle power,” but it has the potential to be more than just a supporting player. With greater ambition and the right vision, Canada can shape global markets and emerge as a dominant force.

The goal for the next Canadian decade should be simple yet ambitious: to support and scale at least 100 mid-sized, export-oriented companies that dominate strategic niches in global markets—Canada's own generation of Mittelstand-esque champions.

Canada’s path forward requires becoming a more productive trading nation that is less reliant on external forces and more capable of turning ambition into economic power. Walking away from the most consequential trade conversation of the next decade won’t get Canada there. It has room to negotiate with the U.S. and should use that leverage to secure the full and permanent removal of tariffs.

Trump and Musk are disrupting America’s scientific community, giving Canada a rare opportunity to attract top talent and position itself as a global innovation powerhouse.

As the Trump administration seeks to rebalance America’s trade relationships, it should focus the most attention on countries where U.S. industries face the worst trade distortions and imbalances, and where the greatest gains can be achieved for the U.S. economy. China, India, and the European Union top that list.

While Trump’s tariffs pose an unprecedented threat to Canada’s economy, they should serve as a wake-up call. Canadian policymakers must seize this moment to enact bold reforms that drive innovation, boost productivity, and strengthen global competitiveness.

Watch now for a panel discussion with international experts who discussed why nations operating by the Anglo-Saxon economic playbook must abandon their reliance on purely market-driven capitalism, how they can reverse their recent declines, and what alternative systems policymakers should embrace to meet the demands of a modern, technology-driven global economy.

Unfortunately for Canada, Trump is a steadfast protectionist. To respond effectively to his threatened tariffs, Canadian officials must first understand Trump's mindset.