Both these men are being childish. Why is Trump attacking Canada - America’s largest trading partner and long term ally? Neither seems to be familiar with Ricardo nor Adam Smith. Trump’s accusations are unjustified. Trudeau is a dolt.
Compared to the US southern border, illegal immigration into the US, and Fentanyl exports to the US are minimal.
Tariffs are irrational. To punish Canada, Trump says I will increase the cost of living for many Americans. Trudeau, in order to punish Trump, says I will match Trump’s tariffs, and thereby raise the cost of living for many Canadians. This is mindless.
Tariffs are three consequences. First, they are a tax increase on the importer country. Second, they disrupt trade patterns and supply chains. Thirdly, they strain relations between both countries.
This is so very sad and unnecessary. I hope this madness ends quickly.
Well I can see the usefuleness of tarriffs as a means of forcing other countries to stop allowing certain things, like illegal immigration, drugs, etc, into the US. Also the fact that they take advantage of their own “slave” labor (like China) to sell goods much cheaper here and undercut our businesses.
He is offering foreign owned businesses who do their manufacturing in the US and hire here a better deal.
I don’t think Canada is doing as much of that, tho.
I hope it isn’t just so he can buy Canada! That’s a bad idea, since it would bring in too many leftist voters.
I fear that (1) the inevitable steep rice hikes that Americans will face because f these tariffs, will turn Trump supporters away, and (2) the inevitable rise in Canadian patriotism will turn Trudeau haters back into the Liberal camp.
This is so unnecessary.
Yes, China et al. will be losers, but so will America. There are no winners in a trade war. I encourage all to re-read Hazlitt’s masterpiece “Economics in One Lesson”, especially the chapter on tariffs where he emphasizes the need to consider long term consequences for all groups rather than on the short term consequences for a small specific group.
Price increases on goods imported by Americans from Canada are inevitable. Americans, as you suggest, will try to buy cheaper American goods if they can. But some things such as oil and natural gas price increases can only be partially avoided. The price of gas at the pump will surely rise, and when this happens, there may be a backlash against Trump, who promised Americans lower prices.
This war is so unnecessary. Canadians and Americans have been at peace since 1812. We are staunch allies and friends for over two centuries. We are good neighbours. We share our British origins, our parliamentary democracies, our laws, our language.
Only 1% of Fentanyl entering the US is from Canada. Illegal immigration to the US from Canada is a mere trickle compared to your southern border. He prides himself on the art of the deal. Why does he lump Canada with Mexico and China? Why not negotiate these issues?
I have supported Trump for many years. I have watched with amazement and adoration at his accomplishments in his first term and now. Yet, now I fear he does not appreciate that these actions may have unintended consequences, and both our countries will suffer. I hope I am wrong, of course.
This may be just Trumps “opening bid” in making a trade deal after more negotiations.
Also our gas (and other) prices may not go up too much because Trump is returning the US to his “drill baby drill” energy policy, and deregulation.
I know of no law-abiding citizen of a free country that objects to policing Fentanyl. I am unaware that Canada is encouraging or facilitating this transfer.
Interesting mention there that 75% of illegal immigrants on the terror watch list come through the Canadian border. That alone should make it as urgent a priority as the southern border.
Cogito, did you read the article above illustrated with a little girl’s face? It’s about fentanyl coming over the Canadian border into the US.
Also a lot of terrorists have been coming over, as Liz writes in her latest comment.
What would you rather Trump did to stop these abuses happening? That’s an open question, not a “gotcha”. If there’s a better way than tariffs, someone ought to tell him what it is. He is open to advice from fellow conservatives.
I do not deny Fentanyl is a problem. What can Canada do to stop the export? Both countries always have cooperated fully in keeping out terrorists and drugs. What else can Canada do? Would Trump insist that every person leaving Canada for the US be strip searched?
This is just the beginning. Trade wars are always bad for both parties. The LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) is the world’s largest buyer of wines, beer, and spirits. Clearly, US wine, beer, and whiskey makers will lose here significantly. Clearly, Canadian consumers will lose here enormously.
But a friend reminds me that Canada can never win a trade war with the US. He is right. Hang on for economic chaos for a while.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Feb. 3 that they reached a deal to delay 25 percent U.S. tariffs on Mexican goods that were due to take effect on Tuesday.
Mexico and the United States reached a series of agreements. Mexico will immediately send 10,000 members of its National Guard to the U.S.–Mexico border targeting the trafficking of illicit fentanyl.
Trump said in a social media post that the the Mexican troops “will be specifically designated to stop the flow of fentanyl, and illegal migrants into our Country".
The one-month tariff pause will allow for negotiations headed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent, and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and high-level Representatives of Mexico.
Sheinbaum said that the United States also committed to working to prevent the trafficking of high-powered weapons to Mexico.
In a new development Monday, Trump is also scheduled to talk with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at 3 p.m. ET about the U.S. tariffs on Canada. Those tariffs are across-the-board and will affect products the United States imports from its northern neighbor including timber and dairy.
Trump has dismissed concerns about the tariffs and said there is no need for the United States to import goods from Canada.
“We pay hundreds of Billions of Dollars to SUBSIDIZE Canada. Why? There is no reason. We don’t need anything they have,” he posted on Truth Social on Sunday.“We have unlimited Energy, should make our own Cars, and have more Lumber than we can ever use. Without this massive subsidy, Canada ceases to exist as a viable Country. Harsh but true! Therefore, Canada should become our Cherished 51st State. Much lower taxes, and far better military protection for the people of Canada — AND NO TARIFFS!”
