Alexander Panetta

Alexander Panetta is a Washington-based correspondent for CBC News who has covered American politics and Canada-U.S. issues since 2013. He previously worked in Ottawa, Quebec City and internationally, reporting on politics, conflict, disaster and the Montreal Expos.

Latest from Alexander Panetta

Analysis

Bracing for impact: 5 things to watch with Trump's upcoming tariffs

Countries around the world are bracing for an economic bruising starting Monday. And few have more at stake than Canada, as Trump threatens imminent trade actions. Here are the laws he might apply, and possible outcomes.
Analysis

Trump promised U.S. Muslims he'd get a deal for Gaza. Some now say he's made good on it

Here's a one-word summary of the reaction from some American Muslims to news of a Mideast ceasefire deal: Vindication. An unusually high number supported a Republican, Donald Trump, last year, and some say their bet has paid off. For now.
Analysis

Migrants brace for Trump's mass deportation threat with panic buttons, long-term babysitters

The most immediate risk after next week's U.S. presidential transition isn't to residents of those nations Donald Trump has mused about invading. It's to the millions of undocumented migrants he vows to deport, including young people who don't remember life anywhere else.
Analysis

'We have to straighten out the press': Trump's plan to sue media critics into submission

Lock up political critics? Donald Trump is open to it. But his prevailing tactic entering his second term is suing the media. We’re not talking about run-of-the-mill libel lawsuits. Free speech analysts call this a well-worn authoritarian tactic for scaring critics into self-censoring.
Analysis

Trump starts a victory dance over Canada border moves

The running gag about Canada as a 51st state is clearly generating a torrent of yuk-yuks on Fox News, and indignation from Trump's critics. However, new statements from his transition team, press secretary and Capitol Hill Republicans could ultimately point to a more hopeful development for Canada.
Analysis

Trump trash talks Freeland in blast from her political past

An unfriendly farewell message from Donald Trump, the U.S. president-elect, rekindled memories of how Freeland spent a key chapter of her career in the federal cabinet, where U.S. affairs were central to her tenure.
Analysis

Will a shocking crime spur change in U.S. health care? Don't count on it

The shooting of insurance CEO Brian Thompson unearthed a wellspring of hatred for his industry. Americans say they want change. But here's a reality impeding reform in the sector: Most Americans like their health care, and they vote like it.
Analysis

Trump ally on Canada's fentanyl talk: Not good enough

To get out of Donald Trump's tariff threat, Ottawa is downplaying its role in the fentanyl trade, while promising more monitoring at the border. But U.S. officials who've worked on this issue, including one for Trump, say it needs structural reforms to tackle international criminal networks.
Analysis

A parent's pardon: Joe Biden's precedent-setting move magnifies power of the presidency

The blanket pardon of Hunter Biden last weekend highlights the expansive power of the U.S. presidency and it may only be growing. Democrats are worried that this first-ever pardon of a president's child will only weaken them, and embolden president-elect Donald Trump.

The takeaway from Trudeau's trip to Mar-a-Lago: For Trump, fentanyl is priority No. 1

U.S. president-elect Donald Trump left his Canadian guests at Mar-a-Lago with a clear impression that fentanyl is his top priority for now in the Canada-U.S. relationship, according to Canadian officials familiar with the details of Friday's surprise dinner.