Insightful piece. Speaks to the imperative that Canada’s approach needs to be strategic, targeted to affected states building alliances to champion Canada’s cause. Broad retaliatory tariffs will be received like a fly to be swatted- far more damaging to Canada. Hyperbolic fear mongering by Carney’s campaign entirely electorally driven and don’t serve Canada’s best interests.
Those advocating more surgical approaches (potash export fees, reduced IP laws to allow more generic drug production in Canada, etc) that will benefit Canadians more while harming certain groups like US farmers and Pharmaceutical companies (who do have leverage through lobbyists) seems a better approach.
I think Trudeau Snr quipped at one point that the Cdn mouse resides next to the American elephant and hence is subject to every twitch and grunt no matter the motivation of same - being collateral damage is the hazard of our geography.
The fact that most Americans are oblivious to what their Feds are doing to Canada is not a shock. America doesn't go into paroxysms of grief when we smoke their curling team, soccer team, or hockey team, either. It seems to me that our likely best bet to get through this is to be patient and to let the consequences of this American global tariff war play out. Trump is highly sensitive to any sense of 'losing' and if public sentiment, Wall Street, or high profile incidents of domestic distress associated with his actions generates anger and dismay, then relief may come. Not for any regard for Canada of course, Trump has no regard for anyone or anything, but for the assuaging of his own ego as always being a winner. Do we have the discipline for this? Not sure. Is it likely to succeed? Also not sure. But I do think poking Trump in the eye, soul-satisfying as that will be, is not the royal road to success in this troubled time.
I find Trump's embarrassment over the security leak issue illustrative of that. He knows the rubbish coming out of his cadre of trained seals in Congress, his administration, and the press (it is, admittedly, a big cadre) is gaining zero traction. The entire episode is a screw up of epic proportions that demands, what's the word, oh yes, retribution, or pale red Republicans and Independents will start to question the Great Man's cojones. Team Trump Cult is safely onside, of course, but that's a minority.
Standby for a time that will continue to be far too interesting and expensive for comfort.
Ms. Rogers writes, "Republicans in these areas and beyond are in a trickier position, having to thread the needle between their own fears and supporting their party leader." I regret to reinforce to my many friends in Canada what they probably already know, namely, that Republicans will never miss an opportunity to miss the opportunity to stand up to the President even when he is as blatantly wrong as he is on tariffs. The only way that Trump will reverse himself is if Canada follows the Premier Ford prescription and inflicts maximum economic pain on the United States.
Very good article. It will be interesting to see if/when the US polls begin to reflect the rising costs that will face Americans once the tariffs start to take effect.
President Trump will have been a success in my mind if he precipitates provincial premiers to work on dropping barriers to trade in this country. This is unlikely.
I'm not surprised that this conflict is not first in thought to many Americans. It's too bad in a way, but we're aren't that relevant. Trade with America is far more important to Canada than trade with Canada is to America. My personal opinion is that the people in charge in America at this point have had it with the way other nations think about them, and have decided to react accordingly.
Paul, it's great to see this piece from Kaleigh Rogers. I followed her and FiveThirtyEight (cheers for the original spelling) for years. Given ABC's unceremonious strangulation and final shuttering of the organization (a few weeks ago), you might check to see if there are a few other FiveThirtyEight Alums looking for work. The Gun Deaths in America, Primaries Project and Gerrymandering Projects stood out as insightful statistics-driven windows into significant issues.
Insightful piece. Speaks to the imperative that Canada’s approach needs to be strategic, targeted to affected states building alliances to champion Canada’s cause. Broad retaliatory tariffs will be received like a fly to be swatted- far more damaging to Canada. Hyperbolic fear mongering by Carney’s campaign entirely electorally driven and don’t serve Canada’s best interests.
Agree. Broad retaliatory tariffs are not helpful.
Those advocating more surgical approaches (potash export fees, reduced IP laws to allow more generic drug production in Canada, etc) that will benefit Canadians more while harming certain groups like US farmers and Pharmaceutical companies (who do have leverage through lobbyists) seems a better approach.
I think Trudeau Snr quipped at one point that the Cdn mouse resides next to the American elephant and hence is subject to every twitch and grunt no matter the motivation of same - being collateral damage is the hazard of our geography.
The fact that most Americans are oblivious to what their Feds are doing to Canada is not a shock. America doesn't go into paroxysms of grief when we smoke their curling team, soccer team, or hockey team, either. It seems to me that our likely best bet to get through this is to be patient and to let the consequences of this American global tariff war play out. Trump is highly sensitive to any sense of 'losing' and if public sentiment, Wall Street, or high profile incidents of domestic distress associated with his actions generates anger and dismay, then relief may come. Not for any regard for Canada of course, Trump has no regard for anyone or anything, but for the assuaging of his own ego as always being a winner. Do we have the discipline for this? Not sure. Is it likely to succeed? Also not sure. But I do think poking Trump in the eye, soul-satisfying as that will be, is not the royal road to success in this troubled time.
I find Trump's embarrassment over the security leak issue illustrative of that. He knows the rubbish coming out of his cadre of trained seals in Congress, his administration, and the press (it is, admittedly, a big cadre) is gaining zero traction. The entire episode is a screw up of epic proportions that demands, what's the word, oh yes, retribution, or pale red Republicans and Independents will start to question the Great Man's cojones. Team Trump Cult is safely onside, of course, but that's a minority.
Standby for a time that will continue to be far too interesting and expensive for comfort.
Excellent piece. Thanks for adding Kaleigh’s perspective. It is insightful and a view seldom offered.
Ms. Rogers writes, "Republicans in these areas and beyond are in a trickier position, having to thread the needle between their own fears and supporting their party leader." I regret to reinforce to my many friends in Canada what they probably already know, namely, that Republicans will never miss an opportunity to miss the opportunity to stand up to the President even when he is as blatantly wrong as he is on tariffs. The only way that Trump will reverse himself is if Canada follows the Premier Ford prescription and inflicts maximum economic pain on the United States.
Very good article. It will be interesting to see if/when the US polls begin to reflect the rising costs that will face Americans once the tariffs start to take effect.
Thoughtful Americans are absolutely terrified about losing their democracy.
Wasn’t the GOP / project 2025 game plan to ‘flood the zone’ with chaos?
Their plan, such as it is, seems to be working.
President Trump will have been a success in my mind if he precipitates provincial premiers to work on dropping barriers to trade in this country. This is unlikely.
Americans will only wake up when it hits them at the pumps. Tax oil and gas exports.. Elbows Up
Different DNA!
I'm not surprised that this conflict is not first in thought to many Americans. It's too bad in a way, but we're aren't that relevant. Trade with America is far more important to Canada than trade with Canada is to America. My personal opinion is that the people in charge in America at this point have had it with the way other nations think about them, and have decided to react accordingly.
Most insightful…original thought on your part to obtain views from south of the border..kudos!
Thank you. Good to have a relatively full answer to how Americans are feeling on the tariffs/aggression issue.
Part of the "no doy" series?
Next week: The Pacific: It's moist!
Still, check out the other comments. Sometimes it helps to read the thing written out.
?
Paul, it's great to see this piece from Kaleigh Rogers. I followed her and FiveThirtyEight (cheers for the original spelling) for years. Given ABC's unceremonious strangulation and final shuttering of the organization (a few weeks ago), you might check to see if there are a few other FiveThirtyEight Alums looking for work. The Gun Deaths in America, Primaries Project and Gerrymandering Projects stood out as insightful statistics-driven windows into significant issues.
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but scores like 12-2 will never hurt me. Much.