Editorial
As predicted, US President Donald Trump is utilizing every ounce of power to change all of the things he despises, such as immigration and individuals who don’t share his ideologies (they are ‘fired’ faster than those on The Apprentice TV show).
Anyway, Canadians had to laugh when Trump recently suggested that Canada become the 51st state. While that is never going to happen, the disturbing fact is he wasn’t kidding (and still isn’t).
Relations between Canada and the US are on a rocky slope since Trump threated to implement whopping 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports, which would have devastating impacts on this country. But thankfully a couple of last-minute meetings with PM Justin Trudeau diverted a nasty trade war (for now) when Trump agreed to hold off on the tariffs for 30 days. This came after Trudeau outlined Canada’s billion-dollar plan to strengthen border security against illegal migrants and drugs, which is what Trump wanted to hear.
Canada was all set to fire back with its own counter-measures if Trump’s tariff plan proceeded as planned. Retailers were pulling US liquor products from store shelves, and Canadian consumers were encouraged to buy local and shun American products as a show of solidarity (more people are reading the labels now).
This American bully was more than prepared to risk a long-standing trade partnership with the stroke of a pen. Perhaps it was all a scare tactic to get Canada to act on the president’s “to-do” list. Well, it worked, and it probably won’t be the last time that Trump shoots from the hip in the O.K. Corral.
Good on the Canadian government for not backing down at a critical moment, saving countless jobs and businesses. But uncertainty still lingers. What happens in 30 days?
While Trudeau has been the author of his own demise, he will be able to tell his grandchildren that he saved Canada from economic catastrophe.
Lyonel Doherty, editor
