Since Trump has been throwing tariffs and the threat of tariffs toward Canada, I, like many Canadians, have been both worried and puzzled. Why is he picking on Canada, one of America's best long term allies? Why does Canada rank with Mexico, which has genuine drug and immigration problems at the southern U.S. border, and China, which more than any other country in the world, has taken over the U.S. consumer market?
And why the continuing spew of insults (or are they threats?) about Canada becoming the 51st state?
It seems to me that Trump has something personal against Canada. Maybe as Maebeme in her comments two posts ago suggested, he wants our resources, water, lumber and oil. I still can't say what is going on in Trump's brain about the long run for Canada.
But in a more general sense, we do now have some ideas.
Based on negotiations in Washington last week, Canadian officials came away with the understanding that DT plans three approaches to reducing the U.S. global international trade deficit of $1.8 trillion. First is a budget with billions in program and tax cuts, the second is the ruthless reduction in agency staffing that Musk is over-seeing, and the third is tariffs.
In Trump's mind, in spite of the turmoil that they are creating for the American stock market, tariffs will bring in enormous amounts of money to the U.S., while encouraging manufacturing to return to the U.S. I'm not sure either of these are true, but on Apr. 2nd, Trump will announce tariffs of various levels on countries around the world. At least Canada will no longer feel picked on!
But what does he have in mind for Canada? Like many Canadians, I suspect he really is after our natural resources. Though he's constantly saying the U.S. doesn't need our oil, gas, or lumber, he hasn't said much about our water or those critical minerals. Others have suggested that what he really wants is an integrated North American economy, which would be a big step toward annexation.
But I think it may be even more than that, and simpler at the same time. I suspect that Trump has a big map of North America pinned to his bedroom wall and he looks at that map and thinks wouldn't it be a great legacy to create one huge country, including both Greenland and Canada?
I think we're going to see a lot of nonsense in the next four years!
We will shortly return to regular programming.
I think "normal" as we once knew our world was, has flown out the window, DT has grand, stupid, dangerous plans for sure, and I think you are so right in your words today. I look forward to regular programming!!!Meantime, all our winter firewood is stacked, and in the shed. And I hope our grandson in Vancouver does not venture over the dividing line, he could so easily get detained for no reason at all.In all my life, never before have I been so interested, more worried and greatly concerned when I read about US tactics.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, 'normal' has flown out the window and the world has been turned on its head!
DeleteDonald Trump is just plain scary.
ReplyDeleteoooooh fg, it is not a shame that we have to take, what should be fun time, and talk about all of this. to wonder what is going to happen, what are the next best steps to move forward. i wish we had a better candidate at election time. we need a leader to run our beloved Country, someone who presented themself well and had a clear picture for our future!! i don't usually talk politics so i will end with this, i owe you one million comments, i had the flu and we did not get any snow. i remembered you inquired!!
ReplyDeleteAt least Canada is a strong country able to stand up for itself. Imagine living in Greenland with this threat hanging over them. I don’t think Trump understands tariffs. He has no idea what they do. But that is no excuse for his horrible bullying behaviour.
ReplyDeleteI don't think he understands much! And he simply enjoys being a bully!
DeleteOddly enough, with Rumpy in charge, we are less likely than ever to be enticed. Elbows Up.
ReplyDeleteI can’t listen to him any more, disgusting little man that he is!
ReplyDeleteWe also get sick of listening to DT and his acolytes.
DeleteAgreed about the nonsense . We've seen enough nonsense already.
ReplyDeleteHe has an agenda, no doubt, but no one knows what it is.
ReplyDeleteI think the one thing that will end the DT adventure will be the American people themselves--they will revolt as their cost of living increases dramatically.DT promised to lower the COL on day one & that is what swung the election- small disturbance & little pain,Ha?
ReplyDeleteI hope you're right!
DeleteI agree with A James, the people of the States will be the ones to resist and make the necessary changes. In the meantime, it will require the judiciary to hold up the rule of law. There are some encouraging signs in various court cases.
ReplyDeleteIt's not going to be pleasant for all North Americans, as well as Denmark and Greenland. But we will prevail! Elbows up!!
it's doubtful if trump has any idea that the tariffs of the 1920s were one of the driving forces behind the Great Depression of the 1930s. He may not even understand that were Canada to become the 51st state so many more Democrats would be added to the House and Senate that the Republicans wouldn't be in power for decades if not centuries. Yes, he probably does want Canada's resources. Anyone from any other country would be foolish to come to the U.S. if they don't want to be seized and sent to some very unpleasant place. Please go over the boards with elbows up and keep your country as YOU want it.
ReplyDeleteThere would be a whole lot of other changes too - how about bilingualism? But it's not going to happen!
DeleteJust stopping by to say hello :)
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
I’m not sure he’s thinking at all. I suspect he’s been senile ever since he had Covid, and he was already consumed with greed. I’m sorry that he offended our good neighbors.
ReplyDeleteThe man is so obviously an immature, uneducated idiot ... what scares me is that he has any support at all. How can those people not see it? He definitely has Putin-itis and delusions of grandeur.
ReplyDeleteI do wonder how so many of my American friends can support that man. It does seem like everything he touches dies.
ReplyDeleteI think DumpTruck's agenda is his own ego and his own pocketbook, same with PeaBrainMusk. I've wondered too, if the more intelligent people (few as they are) who work for them are after Canada's water. Canada has more fresh, drinkable ground water than any other country on earth. I hate what's happening to the people in the USA and in Canada, and in the world! And frankly I cheer when countries fight back. I've been attending protests down here, hope everyone is. My apologies to anyone who drives a dump truck, just seems like Dump/Mush should be in the BACK of a dump truck heading for Great Slave Lake to be dumped there permanently.
ReplyDeleteI believe your last suggestion is correct. He wants to be famous for making the US even bigger, ala Teddy Roosevelt. What i think he is ignoring the huge drain on our resources Canada could be. Miles and miles of infrastructure in low population areas, the daunting task of serving such a huge and diverse area--Canada has a system in place for all that, but for the US to take it over would be a huge financial commitment. Honestly, it would be like Virginia wanting to take back West Virginia in some regards. We are a poor state, sparsely populated, with bad roads, etc, etc, while Virginia is much better resourced. Now, Canada isn't poor by any means, I don't mean to imply thst, but the strain to govern your huge territory from DC and by people with no understanding of your country? Crazy.
ReplyDelete