Q&A: David Paterson, Ontario’s trade representative, says it’s not time to panic

Sitting in a cafe beside the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C., David Paterson, Ontario’s trade representative, said Canada is in for a “tough time for a period” as tariffs take effect on both sides of the border. But he doesn’t think it’s time to panic. In fact, he said Canada may be able use the outcome of the nascent trade war to their advantage.Here is an edited transcript of Mr. Paterson’s discussion with The Globe and Mail on Tuesday over coffee and, of course, maple-flavoured donuts. The transcript has been edited and cut down for length.