Summary
B.C. Premier David Eby announced countermeasures against new U.S. tariffs, including banning liquor from Republican-led states and prioritizing Canadian goods in government procurement.
The move follows Trump’s order imposing 25% tariffs on most Canadian imports. The tariffs could cost B.C. $69 billion if maintained through 2028, particularly harming its forestry sector.
To reduce reliance on U.S. trade, B.C. will fast-track $20 billion in private-sector projects and expand international trade.
Eby also criticized Trump’s fentanyl-related justification for the tariffs.
The worst case scenario here was complete capitulation. Chamberlain’s appeasement policies didn’t work and neither would bending the knee to Herr Drumpf.
Now double down. Tariffs on Teslas and ban X (the everything app (f.k.a. Twitter)).
I would argue that the worst case scenario is that Trump’s tariffs tank Canada’s/Mexico’s economies, at which point America can walk in and own all of North America.
Trump specifically wants Canada because we have a shit ton of potable water, the oil sands, and the Northern Passage through the Arctic (which is increasingly open almost year round).
Mexico gives him and his rich buddies a wealth of cheap labour, at which point America will likely lose almost every manufacturer to Mexico. It also provides a large segment of fresh produce and a smaller, easier-to-monitor barrier against Central American emigration.
I agree, but something has to give. It behooves the world to treat current version of Repubs as the 2nd 3rd Reich. Appeasement concessions is what they’re looking for. As such, it’s on Canada & Mexico to establish robust trade partnerships that don’t include the putrid carcass of Uncle Sam that’s being marionetted by that orange psychopath.
We’ll both fight the best we can, but trade agreements don’t come together overnight. They can take months or years to hash out and we don’t have that kind of time.
If our economies collapse those of us who know how to live off the land in remote forested regions can survive, but we won’t be individual nations anymore.
Indeed. It’s a lot to put on Canada and Mexico, but such is the situation. You’re the world’s first line of defense against the McReich.
I’ll do my part by buying your exports the most I can, especially if the other option is to buy from America. If there’s anything else you think we can do to help even on an individual level, please share.