Senators challenged Minister of International Trade Chrystia Freeland to explain how she will protect Canada from waves of international protectionism and buoy Canadian exports during Question Period in the Senate on Tuesday, June 14, 2016.

Senator Claude Carignan asked the first question.

“We know that the American primaries have shown that protectionism is growing among both Democrats and Republics,” Senator Carignan said. “I would like to know what your plan is to counter this growing wave of U.S. protectionism.”

In the same sentence, Minister Freeland said the answer was war and peace.

“I believe that Canada will have to wage war against U.S. protectionism, and one way of doing that is by continuing to maintain a close trade relationship with the United States,” she said.

Senator Pierrette Ringuette said trade with the U.S. has stagnated at 1993 levels — but that in the past 10 years, Canada has lost 15% of small- and medium-sized export businesses.

Is the government doing anything to rally exports “to our full potential?” Senator Ringuette asked.

The minister said the government had launched a new program in January and hoped to have some ideas ready in the fall.

“I’m certainly looking forward to that strategy in the fall because it is desperately needed,” Senator Ringuette added. “We don’t need to add any new programs until we know that the current one is meeting the objectives.”

Senator Wilfred Moore said he would soon be travelling to the U.S. with a delegation to keep exploring “Buy North America” strategies, among other things.

“In your own discussions with the U.S., is that on the table?” Senator Moore asked. “If you have some ammunition to give us, please do.”

Minister Freeland thanked him for his work but said only the government “will go as far as we can.”