My reference article that details the percentage contribution of each industry to the GDP of Canada has been updated for the latest data. This article also shows the percentage of Canadian exports going to each major country. It shows graphically that Canada is HUGELY dependent on the U.S. as a trading partner. It is only a sight exaggeration to say that Canada is almost entirely dependent on the U.S. for trade.
And meanwhile just today Trump criticized the Canadian dairy cartel system as unfair to the U.S.A. This from a President who ran on a populist platform of being anti-trade. He does not like Canada’s dairy cartel / quota system from the point of view of the U.S.A. But he would probably copy it for the U.S. if he could. I think the notion that Trump was ever going to exempt Canada from his anti-trade protectionist measures is just wishful thinking. He would gladly “beggar” Canada for a few votes. Canada’s best hope may lie in praying that his measures never make it through congress. It may not be possible to negotiate intelligently with Trump since he will want to do what gets votes as opposed to what makes sense. (The two are not always the same).
Any company in Canada that sends most of its output (made in Canada) to the U.S. and is currently competitive in large measure due to the low Canadian dollar may be in for serious trouble if Trump gets his way. I don’t think any of the recommended companies on our list are very much at risk (Linamar may be partially). The ever unfortunate Bombardier may be a case in point.