A trade war declared by presidential order on behalf of the United States of America against Canada, has now been put on pause.
Word of those pending tariffs were confirmed over the weekend. In response, Prime Minister Trudeau gave a solid speech, contesting Trump’s proclamation and affirming that Canada would respond in kind.
Within that speech, Americans were informed of the outcome tariffs would have on their pocketbooks and they were also reminded of the many times Canadians came to their aid. The facts were laid out.
Financially our economy is a pittance of the world’s largest economy to our immediate south, but that has never stopped the affable spirit that Canadians extend to their American neighbours.
Times change, personalities change and of course politics change. The Trump factor has emerged with a vengeance where perceived grievances or petty slights are scores to be settled. Suggesting that illegal migration and fentanyl traffic across the Canadian border are of such proportions to provoke an emergency declaration is absurd. U.S. Customs and Border Protection pegs the quantity of fentanyl seized at 19.5 kg on the northern border versus 9,592 kg on the southern border. This is a scam to legitimize his actions and skirt the free trade deal he made with Canada and Mexico.
Despite listening through hours of broadcast news and reading yards of stories in print and online, it was the voice of a young man out west that summed up the events best. He felt “betrayed.”
Provocateurs, politicians, economists, big business and professors will have many ways to explain tariffs and the pending fallout for free market jurisdictions. But “betrayed” – what a great word, from an everyday Canadian.
A sense of betrayal might explain recent sporting events where Canadians booed the American anthem. Quite honestly, we have mixed feelings on that reaction. The apologetic nature of Canadians made the act seem unCanadian, but at the same time so Canadian. Throughout history, whether the mud pits of Paschendaele, the beaches on D-day, or countless other conflicts, Canadians give no sway to bullies.
Despite that fighting spirit, we are better known for grace and hospitality in times of need – like fighting forest fires in California, sending work crews to help restore hydro after storms and welcoming re-directed flights to Gander when terrorists attacked our nation’s closest ally and best friend – the United States of America. Of course, the act of assistance wasn’t a case of setting up a game of “you owe us one,” or for praise, it was just the right thing to do. Although we can’t see into the future, we suspect Canadians would be the first to step up again should the U.S. need a friend.
But our American counterparts, under the weight of a Trump presidency and a blindly loyal Republican party, seem less friendly. Add in sycophants online and certain broadcast news stations trumpeting Trump’s narratives, and this irrational ruse has become mainstream. The ambiguous talking points, the outright falsehoods about trade, migrants and drugs, signal America first.
Entities like the United States Chamber of Commerce and economists in their midst have warned of the dangers of this protectionist tariff path. Those facts and analysis were ignored until Monday when Trump lifted his jack boot from the necks of Justin Trudeau and Mexico’s Claudia Sheinbaum.
More disappointing in recent days, has been the concurrence of Canadian captains of industry. Shopify CEO, Tobi Lutke, garnered this headline in the New York Post: CEO of Canada’s 2nd-biggest company defends Trump’s tariff demands, slams Trudeau for not stopping trade war. We hear different voices in social circles parrot similar ideas. We also hear those claimants dismissed as traitors, which seems a bit harsh, but when Canadians side with foreign powers, that seals their moniker.
The federal government and premiers need to use this 30-day reprieve to reset priorities when it comes to trade and the long term security of Canadians.
If anything has been learned with this latest gas-lighting conduct by Trump, it is that Canadians no longer can blindly rely on its trade relationship with the United States. Inter-provincial trade should be emboldened, internal markets for Canadian goods should be fostered and relations with other trading partners should be sought.
With a federal election looming in Canada, we need to start thinking now about who can best lead the country as we tackle monumental issues like trade and yes, our sovereignty.
