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DONALD TRUMP often picks fights that make no sense, rejecting traditional U.S. allies for no compelling reason. That certainly applies to Canada, the target of scathing Trump criticism this week.
RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES hit rock-bottom this week. This is no joke, and perhaps Trump has been emboldened by speculation that the U.S. could cut a deal with Greenland, which also is no joke.
TRUMP WANTS CANADA as the 51st state, and he’s unlikely to ease tariffs on April 2 unless Canada capitulates on trade issues. He covets Canada’s natural resources and shipping lanes, and he’s smarting because of what he sees as disrespect from Ottawa.
IRONICALLY, fentanyl has disappeared as an issue. Just two weeks ago, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the dispute was all about the drug, but obviously that was disingenuous. Fentanyl has virtually nothing to do with this latest crisis.
TRUMP’S ANIMOSITY toward Canada began in his first term as president when he thought Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was disrespectful to him. That was a cardinal sin; Trump hits back hard if he doesn’t feel the love from critics.
THE U.S. PRESIDENT said this week that Trudeau was “nasty” to him, and Trump added for good measure that Canada is one of the “nastiest” countries he has to deal with. Canada — nasty ?? Who knew ??
HE CONTINUED: “Canada was meant to be the 51st state because we subsidize Canada by $200 billion a year,” Data from 2024 show a Canadian surplus of $80 billion.
TRUMP SAYS “We don’t need their lumber, we don’t need their energy, we don’t need anything. We certainly don’t want their automobiles,” When asked why he seems to be tougher on Canada, Trump said “only because it’s meant to be our 51st state.”
TRUMP’S 25 PERCENT duties on steel and aluminum came into effect for all countries. Trump has said that his “reciprocal tariffs” — aimed at what he sees as unfairness in America’s trading relationship — are set to come into effect on April 2.
A COMPLICATING FACTOR is the upcoming Canadian election, which has to be held by October at the latest. In the meantime, the two leading candidates will proclaim that they’re tougher on Trump, which could strain relations with the U.S. even further.
TRUMP BACKED DOWN ON NEW TARIFFS on Canada last month, but this seems more serious now. Optimists think the trade war will be diffused by summer, but we disagree. Trump is serious about wanting Canada to be the 51st state, just as he wants to annex Greenland.
MOST AMERICANS and members of Congress think this trade war with Canada is a ludicrous idea, but Trump may persist, to the detriment of the Canadian economy.
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