Auto tariffs would have long-term chill on economic output says TD report

AUTOS

Auto tariffs would have long-term chill on economic output says TD report

The Canadian Press Published Monday, June 18, 2018 4:15PM EDT

In this Dec. 21, 2006, file photo, an auto worker puts a wiring harness in an empty vehicle body during production of the General Motors' Chevrolet Equinox, Pontiac Torrent and the Suzuki XL7 at the CAMI Automotive facility in Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada. (Dave Chidley/The Canadian Press via AP, File)

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TORONTO -- A says that if the United States goes ahead with tariffs on auto imports it could cut Canadian economic growth by half a percentage point and threaten up to one in five Ontario manufacturing jobs.

The report by TD senior economist Brian DePratto says that if the U.S. imposes tariffs of a similar magnitude to the ones announced on aluminum and steel, it would not only stagnate the economy but also frighten away future business investment.

DePratto says the move, which would affect roughly $74 billion in exports, could create permanent 'scarring' of the investment climate that reduces Canada's long-term economic capacity.

He says the immediate tariff impact would mean about a 0.4 per cent cut to economic output, but the long-term hit to confidence would have a peak impact on economic output of 1.2 per cent, or about $25 billion in real terms, and permanently leave output about 0.2 per cent below business as usual.

DePratto says he still expects that NAFTA disputes will eventually be resolved, but the potential impact of tariffs underscores the importance of the ongoing negotiations.

Scotiabank said in a that if the tariff dispute deteriorates into an all-out global trade war, it could push North America's economies into recession in 2020, including a 1.8 per cent cut to Canada's GDP.