What’s really behind Donald Trump’s tariff threats and ’51st state’ posts about Canada [Video]

Donald Trump’s threat of whopping tariffs on Canadian exports and his trolling of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are key tactics in a negotiating strategy to extract the best trade terms for the U.S., according to people who have worked with or closely observed him over the years. 

Trump is promising to slap a 25 per cent tariff on all goods entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico on Jan. 20, his first day in office, unless the countries curb the flow of drugs and migrants across their borders.

The president-elect has since followed up that threat by taunting Trudeau by calling him “governor” and referring to Canada as the “51st state” in a succession of social media posts. 

Analysts say this approach echoes the trademark negotiating style that Trump has employed for many years, both in business and the presidency. 

Stephen Moore, who served as an economic adviser to Trump during his first term in the White …