This weekend has seen trainwreck that had been foretold, but that I found hard to believe would come to pass. I’m still absorbing it I must say…so much history and international partnerships basically up in smoke. Hard to believe. I’m not naive…I believe the adage that countries have no true friends…only interests. But starting a trade war with your closest allies to destabilize them, while at the same time damaging your own economy, doesn’t seem like it is in the U.S. interest…only the interest of the potentially unstable narcissist now running the U.S.
“Trump-ed Up Charges”
Falsely accusing Canada of being such a significant source of fentanyl and illegal immigrants that he had to include us in a declaration of national emergency, Trump has imposed significant tariffs on Canadian goods. See Trump says Canada tariffs have ‘nothing to do’ with forcing trade talks.
Trump’s accusation of Canada is designed to give his tariff action the cloak of necessity and legality. However, it is pretty easy to disbunk his statements…see FactCheck.org Illegal Immigration and Fentanyl at the U.S. Northern and Southwest Borders and @decloet.bsky.social on Fentanyl Caught at US Borders. These issues were never really
the main focus. He is intent on driving manufacturing production in Canada (and Mexico) to the U.S. He also needs tariff revenue to pay for the tax reductions he has promised. And there are also his less well defined musings about Manifest Destiny and how Canada would be much better off as the 51st. U.S. State. Trump says Canada would have no tariffs as 51st state, as observers brace for trade war
Canada, choosing to act like a good neighbour, while also trying to address the false claims made by Trump,responded with a hastily created Strengthened Border Security Plan. I’m sure the U.S. welcomes such a plan, but clearly Trump doesn’t care.
And damaging tariffs against Canada were announced.
For early analysis of “potential impacts on Canada, see Bank of Canada Evaluating the potential impacts of US tariffs
Canada Government Reactions
Canada has had little choice but to respond in kind. The federal government has announced a significant tariff response, and provincial governments are also responding within their various jurisdictions.
Government of Canada announces next steps in its response plan to unjustified U.S. tariffs
Canada announces $155B tariff package in response to unjustified U.S. tariffs
Doug Ford announces Ontario ban on American liquor in response to U.S. tariffs
Other Reactions
Donald Trump has ruptured the Canada-U.S. relationship. To what end? And what comes next?
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