What Day Of The Week Is It?

Depending on many known and unknown variables, including what day of the week it is, one never knows what unhinged version of Donald Trump will make his appearance on any given occasion. Consistent, however, is the fact that no version of the mad king can be trusted. We would be well-advised to keep that in mind when attempting to 'negotiate' with him, as these letters attest.

Our move

So dropping the digital services tax without gaining any concessions, rather than appeasing the bully, just encourages him to demand more – as just about everyone expected, except perhaps our Prime Minister.

Any “deal” with Donald Trump likely won’t be worth the price of the Sharpie he signs it with. So if we are going to get hurt, let’s at least keep our self-respect and pride. China kept their dignity and retaliated, and he backed down.

Canada should immediately reinstate the digital services tax. We are going to get hit economically no matter what we do.

We might as well maintain our pride, dignity and sovereignty.

David Ross Canmore, Alta.

In attempting to negotiate with the United States, we are dealing with people who act capriciously and break formal agreements on a whim. It seems they don’t keep their word and don’t respect us.

I believe it’s time to treat the U.S. as unreliable. Stop thinking we can negotiate with them and trying to appease them. Move on to other trading partners.

Bill Hollings Toronto

Donald Trump’s latest 35-per-cent tariff threat should put an end to any illusions: Canada can no longer treat the United States as a steady trade partner.

Tying economic penalties to false claims about fentanyl isn’t policy – it’s posturing. It leaves Canadian businesses and workers in a constant state of uncertainty.

We can’t keep waiting for the U.S. to return to normal. I don’t think it’s coming back.

Mark Carney is right to delay the trade deadline and consult the premiers. But we need more than reaction. We need a shift in strategy: diversified trade, domestic investment and clear-eyed recognition that stability isn’t something we can import.

This isn’t a dramatic breakup. It’s a long-overdue adjustment to reality.

Rodney Beatty Sarnia, Ont.

Re “The U.S. is not our friend any more. Has anyone told Mark Carney?” (Report on Business, July 9): Beginning with the election campaign, Mark Carney has been delivering the message loudly and clearly that this U.S. administration is now an enemy of Canada. That he has so far wisely chosen not to poke the bear does not mean he has “completely misread the nature of the threat facing Canada.”

While the idea of any negotiation is rejected here as a waste of time and effort, Mr. Carney has chosen to try. Not even trying to mitigate the threat would be to accept dominance of and damage to our economy.

Failing a satisfactory agreement, Canada can walk away saying that it tried. I think Canadians will appreciate the effort.

After that, we can take the gloves off and raise our elbows again.

Jon Baird Uxbridge, Ont.

One ardently hopes that the prime minister and his team will get this message soon.  We've wasted enough time already.