Canada Rightly Claims Trump's Tariffs Penalize Americans
And retaliates by penalizing Canadians
In a remarkable effort to prove who might be stupider, Canadians are rightly claiming that U.S. citizens will be paying the costs of Trump’s tariffs. In a - we’ll show you - retaliation, Canadians are imposing their own tariffs to penalize Canadians who buy American products.
Of more concern to Canadians, is Trump’s call for Canada to become the 51st state of the U.S. According to Marco Rubio, Trump’s comment is the result of a talk with former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Trudeau said that if trade was evened out between the two countries, Canada would not continue to exist as a country.
I have a more personal view and interest in the Canada/US conflict than the vast majority of Americans. My father-in-law moved the family from St. Louis to Edmonton, Alberta in the mid 1970s. I have in-laws living in Canada. The tensions are affecting my relatives desire to come to the U.S. Whether the fears are founded in reality or not, the stories of people being detained are affecting our relationships.
Blaine, WA is on the Canadian border. I have walked to Canada. Canadians come here and the larger city, Bellingham, to shop. The number of Canadians crossing the border has dropped significantly. Our businesses are affected by the tensions. The only benefit I see is for the local consumer. Lines are much shorter. I have seen no drop in prices. With lower demand, I have to wonder if prices can remain high.
While I was a member of the Bellingham Central Lions Club, we had both U.S. and Canada flags and started our meetings singing both the Star Spangled Banner and O Canada. We consider Canadians to be our friends and neighbors.
I want to look at the effects of tensions created by the second Trump administration. We seem to mostly hear and see negative effects. I present a few facts for you to consider.
Canadians are reacting to President Trump’s efforts with national pride. They are an independent country and want to remain as such. Trudeau is now out. Mark Carney is the new Prime Minister.
The following are quotes current Prime Minister Carney posted on X.
“We have to diversify our trade partnerships and build stronger trading relationships within our own country. To do that, we’ll invest big in the infrastructure that gets Canadian goods to market — by air, rail, road, and sea.”
Auto parts cross the Canada-U.S. border six times on average before final assembly. In a trade crisis, that’s a vulnerability.
It’s time to build more cars right here at home with an All-in-Canada auto manufacturing network.
Under my leadership, Canada will invest in our security, meet our 2% spending target by 2030 — and pull our full weight in NATO.
Look at each of those quotes. Canadian provinces have much more bickering between themselves than the states. I think it would be beneficial to Canadians to improve trading relationships between provinces. It will make for a stronger Canada.
Doesn’t it seem crazy to ship parts back and forth so many times? I would assume there is some financial advantage to the auto makers. I wonder about the effect of shipping on the environment.
Perhaps it is time for an All-in-Canada auto manufacturing network. It will make Canada stronger.
I want to give the last quote the most attention. Under Carney’s leadership, Canada will “pull our full weight in NATO”. Is that enough?
The population of Canada is estimated to be over 40 million by the middle of 2025. Canada has the longest coastline in the world at 151,019 miles. Canada’s northern border will be more exposed as the ice melts. Eventually, the northern border will be a shipping lane. It would be in the interest of China or Russia to control the area. Will Canada be able to defend itself?
Contrast Canada’s $41 billion expenditure on defense to the U.S. $841.4 billion. Even if Canada meets its full NATO obligation, will it be able to defend the largest coastline in the world? Of course, as a NATO ally, the U.S. would be expected to step up. Trump has called that into question and some Americans are calling for the U.S. to drop out of NATO.
I like being part of NATO. I like the idea of a one-for-all and all-for-one agreement. I find it concerning that 8 countries don’t spend 2% on defense and we spend around 3%. I also find it troubling that we are expected to be the bully and criticized after we are. Seeing the European alliance and Canada step up for Ukraine is refreshing, although they seem to be more pro war than I like.
I am also in favor of global trade. I will be writing another article on that.
Those are my thoughts. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. The NATO chain seems to be based on the U.S. link taking the majority of the load.
While I find Trump’s rhetoric disturbing at times, I’m hoping the silver lining is a re-evaluation of relationships around the world.
On point with this article.
If the silver lining is Canada becomes more self-reliant and Canadians choose farmers markets and local choices over big name American brands, that has to improve Canada as a whole.
Also to your point there must come a time when Canada steps up and puts more into defense, or rightly so at least gives much more appreciation and credit to big Brother down south for protecting them.