In my more fantasy-laden moments, I imagine a response from Canada to Trump's tariff threats that would really get through to the Americans. Since appeasement never works, how about meeting their tactics with some of our own?
Canada needs to review trading relationships
A quick fix to bring Donald Trump’s bullying tactics to heel would be an equivalent export tax on all energy resources and raw materials exported to the United States. [Empahsis mine] Canada is America’s largest energy source and number two supplier of nonenergy mineral resources after China. Canada should not cringe in fear of Trump’s tactics of bullying and misinformation or cave in to his demands. We need to use whatever tools we have available to work out a reasonable fair-trade deal that benefits both partners. Without that, it is no longer a trade deal but exploitation and no partnership. Trump will try a workaround to existing agreements and we must be prepared to act in kind.
We also need to review our trading relationships. Expanding our trading relationships with other partners would make us far less susceptible to Trump’s tactics. We must also expand our military capacity. National service and our own military supply chain and sources could create thousands of new jobs across Canada in manufacturing. If we love our country, is it not worth defending it economically and militarily?
Robert Holden, Keswick, ON
Apply Trump’s logic to our illegal gun problem
Countries have been fighting drugs for a very long time. The Opium War was in the 1840s. No one has figured out how to solve the drug problem, including Donald Trump in his first term in office. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should tell Donald Trump he is putting a 25 per cent tariff on U.S. products until he stops the thousands of guns entering Canada through the United States bringing higher levels of violent crime. Last time I checked, countries are responsible for securing their own borders. This is not something you outsource to another country.
Michael Yaffe, Toronto
Of course, the above scenarios will never come to pass, but I can dream, can't I?
Last time I checked, countries are responsible for securing their own borders. This is not something you outsource to another country.............
ReplyDeleteMore importantly it is not something that should be dictated to another country.
To accept Trumps demands would be accepting an attack upon our sovereignty!
Of Trumps demands this is the most objectionable.
TB
I really hope Canada shows some backbone here, TB, but thus far it sounds like both Doug Ford, Danielle Smith and the feds are stepping right up to the plate for Trump when it comes to border issues.
Deletehttps://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/ford-pushes-for-more-proactive-border-action-after-trudeau-meets-with-premiers-about-trump-1.7126204
Lorne.
ReplyDeleteNo matter what Canada does will make little to no difference for border security.
However when Trump has his way and Canadas Provinces kiss the ring, with a minimal upgrade for appeasement, Trump will claim victory and his mindless followers will be euphoric!
TB
I was just reading a letter in The Star that suggested exactly that, TB. Make it look like he can claim victory, and Trump's id-like, infantile ego will be placated. Judging by Canada's reaction thus far, we seem to be heading in the right direction, eh?
DeleteWe should consider that with the upcoming Trump administration coupled with the last one that the USA is becoming an unreliable trading partner.
ReplyDeleteNow we have two US political parties that are protectionist to trade.
The UK will suffer even more with tariffs particularly after their Brexit debacle.; maybe we should trade more with them and Europe?
TB
Looking toward the UK and the European Union makes eminent sense, TB. The problem is that the vast majority of our trade is with the U.S., and finding commensurate alternative markets will be a massive undertaking. We have no time to lose in that pursuit.
DeleteRe,
ReplyDeleteThe problem is that the vast majority of our trade is with the U.S.,
How much of Canadian exports are from USA owned companies?
In the end and once again Trumps tariffs will be greatly diluted but he will be able to declare victory much to the delight of his ,uneducated, supporters.
This side of the border, Trump wannabees such as Alberta's Smith and Ontario's Ford will readily capitulate to Trumps demands and further erode Canadian sovereignty.
FFS why should we patrol our borders to keep people IN ?
TB
Exactly, TB. Whoever enters a country is that country's responsibility. Who leaves it isn't.
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