The relationship between the United States and Canada is a little like the relationship

between a cousin you grew up with.

Physically close, relatable, if not exactly alike in temperament and family dynamics, somebody we can

broadly assume will always be there for us. But taking Canada for granted is a risky strategy

for the United States. From KERA in Dallas, this is think. I'm Chris Boyd. For all our obsession

over keeping relations with China functional if not exactly friendly,

our trade relationship with Canada is currently worth 73% more than the one we maintain with

China. And it hasn't always been this way. Over the centuries, different leaders have struck

different deals to dictate the terms of U.S.-Canada trade and security alliances.

Which is to say, a significant decline in our working relationship with our neighbor to the north

could be detrimental on both sides of a 5,500-mile border.

Drew Fagan is professor in the Monk School at the University of Toronto and a visiting professor at Yale University.

His recent article in Policy Magazine is titled The Big Split, How Canada and the United States

pulled together, then apart. Drew, welcome to think.

Thanks, Chris. Pleasure to be here.

So you make the point that the United States has a history of taking Canada for granted,

but flat out antipathy toward Canada.

Is that something specific to the era of Donald Trump as U.S. President?

It is in the sense that he and people in the administration really seem to dislike Canada.

I think it's the nature of the Canadian polity being somewhat to the left of the average,

the mean in the United States, particular policies with regard to health care,

some degree of protectionism, and in particular the stance that we've taken traditionally internationally,

...