The Globe and Mail reports in its Saturday edition that Canada has faced a persistent investment problem since before Donald Trump's era. The Globe's Tim Shufelt writes that after a strong 20th century, the Canadian economy has struggled in the 21st, due to Canadian companies underspending compared with their American counterparts. The Trump administration, with its hostile stance on free trade, further pressured Canadian industries to maintain austerity. However, recent signs suggest a potential turnaround for the Canadian economy. Investment intentions among domestic businesses are at a new high since Mr. Trump took office. Import volumes of machinery and equipment have also reached a decade high, with computer equipment imports surging 90 per cent in June, indicating growing investment in artificial intelligence. This might signal the end of Canada's investment drought. National Bank of Canada economist Jocelyn Paquet says it is "possible that businesses are beginning to feel the effects of the federal government's investment-stimulating efforts." At the heart of those efforts are the infrastructure and defence projects that aim to heavily favour local manufacturing by awarding contracts to domestic companies.