An Editorial Commentary from a Canadian Patriot
Donald Trump thinks he can bully his neighbours and wants his legacy to be the subjugation of his once allies, and neighbours. Canada needs to take this seriously, but the response should be something Trump would never expect as well, and that would seriously damage his legacy and clearly illustrate that American interests can be financially damaged.
First, Canada should apply the 25% tariff to everything American. Forget the selective list. Anything American gets a 25% tariff. Provide favoured nation status to China and expand multilateralism. Seek new agreements that seriously diminish American dominance that in the past has enabled a dependence on Bilateralism. Spend time, and resources in committing to new agreements for Canadian oil and gas, overseas, preferentially to our true allies in Europe and the UK.
Diminish trade with the U.S. commensurately as new trade agreements with Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand expand. Increase trade substantively with the EU in terms of lumber, minerals, oil and gas, and seek Canada’s future, – within the EU. Commit to a new expanded NATO agreement, excluding the U.S. that commits Canada to a doubling of military forces in as short a time as practicable (2033) with a force structure of 136,000 in the Canadian Armed Forces. Commit to developing Canada’s weapon systems in Canada and drastically increase Canada’s Military Industrial complex.
Commit to buy all future weapon systems from the “New NATO” alliance members, including as much content for new aircraft, ship, submarines, munitions and armour, including tanks and infantry fighting vehicles, — in Canada. Cancel Canada’s purchase of F-35 fighters and buy new 5th and 6th generation fighters from either the UK, France or Sweden. Reinstitute conscription in Canada that requires a one year military service commitment for all 19 year olds, and immediately commit to doubling the Canadian Army’s ground forces. Commit a brigade (fully independent and self-sustaining) to the Baltic states in the protection of Europe, with a doubling to two brigades including Air, Naval and ground forces within ten years.
Scale back bilateralism and trade with America. Create a Canadian border that is no longer open to U.S. citizens without visas and passports and for only very defined time limits. Increase taxation on Canadians while decreasing social programming costs while at the same time expending employment resources and the building of infrastructure focused on the development for the expansion of Canadian companies producing strategic military assets within Canada, for future military equipment sales to overseas markets.
Nationalize Canada’s oil and gas companies and develop Canadian refineries to supply Europe and the orient with finished products, not raw resources.
Canada needs to take its sovereignty seriously, just as Sweden has done in Europe. A much closer alliance between the liberal democracies of Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Canada would serve the strategic interests of all the parties as Russia and the U.S. are no longer countries that can be trusted.
In the short term, the costs to Canadians will be high, but the long-term benefits will be even more substantial as well. Providing Canada with the means to stand independent of the United States in the future will significantly change the relationship and improve Canada’s sovereignty.
Canadians don’t want to be a protectorate of the United States. Canadians want to be free of American influence, its arrogance, ignorance and condescending stifling, – supposed superiority in all things.
It’s time to break the mould completely and to move toward a future that seeks new opportunities, without being subjugated or threatened by a nation of hateful, evangelists within a kleptocratic theocracy, whose only interest in Canada is in using Canadian resources to America’s advantage.
Canadians, watching a sociopath, kleptocrat and convicted felon lead the United States, does not instil confidence in America, its plans or its trust in any American friendship in the future. The United States is now viewed by Canadians as a liability, threat and untrustworthy international broker and neighbour, — and the sooner Canada can leave America’s sphere of interest, the better.
Trump sees himself as a zero-sum dealmaker. A transactionalist that wants only a one-way advantage. What Trump may end up winning is a very expensive lesson in how to damage the American economy, its interest and foreign policy, while creating a vastly less cooperative, and dependent neighbour, — never mind the end of a collaborative one. International ‘theft’ isn’t part of how Canada develops its trade agreements or foreign policy. We don’t believe in resource ‘fire sales’. We believe in fairness, equity, respectful relationships and collaboration, not coercion and threats.
We, in Canada, are quickly becoming accustomed to hearing lies from Trump and his administration’s minions, including arrogance and ignorance while watching the United States act like a bully in its international actions with other nations as well. America, through its indifference, disdain and egotism, illustrates to its neighbours, disrespect for their opinions and concerns that will inevitably lead to a distancing, bifurcation and a split in how each nation views the other. Canada will ultimately find a different path. One less travelled, but infinitely more rewarding in time.
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