It seems that we are in a not unsimilar position to Ukraine - Trump and Putin both see themselves as strongmen. Thx for writing about the state of our nation right now; it seems impossible to predict what can happen next. So important for Canada to have wise leaders at this time in history. Thankfully this threat has evoked such unity amongst Canadians. Let’s hope we keep speaking with unified voices
That you for your wonderful journalism. You cut to the chase, pinpointing the kernel each time. I live in Montreal, and was gifted some time on Substack, and your newsletter by Emilie Cavendish. To return to the issue of our neighbour down south, it has been a public tussle of disbelief (and thus ignoring the issue of the 51st state, (or territory, or economic dependent, or whatever), and realizing that we need to be ready. And I think we are. It has been gratifying how Canadians have risen up together. As a transplant from S. Africa myself, I am immensely proud to be Canadian these days. So, yes, thank you!
Here in Aotearoa New Zealand, we are shocked, listening and watching. We are an island country at the end of the world but we consider ourselves one of the lead world democracies, in a sense that we are team of 5 million, we respect each other here and speak of our problems openly (yes, we do have issues, in fact plenty of them and they are not all dairy related...) but we are trying to stay on course in doing so... Now we are holding our breath while watching what is happening to Canada. So so much has changed in the last months everywhere.
Chinese war ships coming almost all the way to Sydney sent us a strong message, they might show up in the Wellington harbour tomorrow...
Being a country dedicated more to Greenpeace than war talks we hardly have any war jets or ships to even start thinking war thoughts, and not that we want... Plus, the rule here is if Oz goes into any 'real' war NZ will follow... as part of the no brainer ANZ alliance.
Is commonwealth of nations a concept we should rethink?... I must admit that is not 2 strange to us Kiwis...
The Western World has become a truly scary place to live with the greatest thugs in positions of world power in The States and in Europe's North East. I shall hope that we emerge through their stranglehold into a World of Sanity, Caring and the Natural Prosperity that would follow.
In a recent interview on The Rest is Politics podcast, Carney told Alistair Campbell that if Canada can break down the trade barriers between provinces (which he says amount to approximately the same losses Canadian consumers would face with the US tariffs), the country could ride out a trade war. He may have been posturing somewhat, but Canada survived the economic hit of the Second World War (and even arguably prospered through government intervention), so I'm not quite ready to accept that the US is able to bring Canada to its knees. One fascinating proposal that has been raised is for Canada to increase trade ties with the EU to the point of some enhance relationship. Some people have quixotically brought up EU membership for Canada. I realize this is extremely unlikely, but it is an intriguing thought.
Hi John. Nice to hear from you. It's been a while. I don't think Canada really has any option but to live with whatever Trump throws at it in the short term. It's not like we're suddenly going to change our minds and join the US. That said, a low-key non-confrontational style married to real retaliation is probably the best bet. Although I think no one has quite figured out a good strategy with Trump. Except Putin, of course, who seems to be able to run rings around him and then get praised inn return.
Nice summary! Yes, times are changing though living at the top of Kootenay Lake, you are mostly protected. Time to keep your belly to the ground and push forward with core strength.
Arresting Canadian woman at the Mexican border and Jailing her is not conducive to bettering relations.
You're right Mark. Right now Canada is probably not going to get much de-escalatory behaviour from the other side.
It seems that we are in a not unsimilar position to Ukraine - Trump and Putin both see themselves as strongmen. Thx for writing about the state of our nation right now; it seems impossible to predict what can happen next. So important for Canada to have wise leaders at this time in history. Thankfully this threat has evoked such unity amongst Canadians. Let’s hope we keep speaking with unified voices
Hi Julius,
That you for your wonderful journalism. You cut to the chase, pinpointing the kernel each time. I live in Montreal, and was gifted some time on Substack, and your newsletter by Emilie Cavendish. To return to the issue of our neighbour down south, it has been a public tussle of disbelief (and thus ignoring the issue of the 51st state, (or territory, or economic dependent, or whatever), and realizing that we need to be ready. And I think we are. It has been gratifying how Canadians have risen up together. As a transplant from S. Africa myself, I am immensely proud to be Canadian these days. So, yes, thank you!
Here in Aotearoa New Zealand, we are shocked, listening and watching. We are an island country at the end of the world but we consider ourselves one of the lead world democracies, in a sense that we are team of 5 million, we respect each other here and speak of our problems openly (yes, we do have issues, in fact plenty of them and they are not all dairy related...) but we are trying to stay on course in doing so... Now we are holding our breath while watching what is happening to Canada. So so much has changed in the last months everywhere.
Chinese war ships coming almost all the way to Sydney sent us a strong message, they might show up in the Wellington harbour tomorrow...
Being a country dedicated more to Greenpeace than war talks we hardly have any war jets or ships to even start thinking war thoughts, and not that we want... Plus, the rule here is if Oz goes into any 'real' war NZ will follow... as part of the no brainer ANZ alliance.
Is commonwealth of nations a concept we should rethink?... I must admit that is not 2 strange to us Kiwis...
The Western World has become a truly scary place to live with the greatest thugs in positions of world power in The States and in Europe's North East. I shall hope that we emerge through their stranglehold into a World of Sanity, Caring and the Natural Prosperity that would follow.
In a recent interview on The Rest is Politics podcast, Carney told Alistair Campbell that if Canada can break down the trade barriers between provinces (which he says amount to approximately the same losses Canadian consumers would face with the US tariffs), the country could ride out a trade war. He may have been posturing somewhat, but Canada survived the economic hit of the Second World War (and even arguably prospered through government intervention), so I'm not quite ready to accept that the US is able to bring Canada to its knees. One fascinating proposal that has been raised is for Canada to increase trade ties with the EU to the point of some enhance relationship. Some people have quixotically brought up EU membership for Canada. I realize this is extremely unlikely, but it is an intriguing thought.
Hi John. Nice to hear from you. It's been a while. I don't think Canada really has any option but to live with whatever Trump throws at it in the short term. It's not like we're suddenly going to change our minds and join the US. That said, a low-key non-confrontational style married to real retaliation is probably the best bet. Although I think no one has quite figured out a good strategy with Trump. Except Putin, of course, who seems to be able to run rings around him and then get praised inn return.
‘Elbows up’;-)
Nice summary! Yes, times are changing though living at the top of Kootenay Lake, you are mostly protected. Time to keep your belly to the ground and push forward with core strength.