Donald Trump can afford to wield tariffs as political and fiscal tools without triggering economic disruption due to America's lower reliance on global trade, says Paul Beaudry. Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images/Postmedia files

The United States’ latest wave of tariffs may be framed as a way to protect American jobs and industries, but one of Canada’s top economists says they’re also serving a quieter, crucial purpose: raising money .

Paul Beaudry, former deputy governor at the Bank of Canada , said Washington’s tariff strategy under Donald Trump sets out to do two things: tell Americans he cares about their jobs and raise hundreds of millions to pay for tax cuts.

“Yes, the tariffs are about generating revenue,” he said. “It’s kind of like a dual strategy — we’ll get

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