Canadians do not seek a trade war – but neither will we be bullied by Donald Trump
A fundamental rupture in the values that have united North America is not a problem that can be wished away: this is a warning to the western alliance
TL;DR
- Canada walked out of trade negotiations with the US due to last-minute demands perceived as uneconomic and a betrayal of trust.
- Retaliatory tariffs are scheduled to be imposed by both countries.
- The breakdown in negotiations is seen by Canadians as an attempt by the US to exert dominance rather than a genuine trade dispute.
- Canadian public opinion is strongly against being bullied by the US, with a sense of betrayal regarding shared security and economic interdependence.
- The author warns that the US's actions represent a fundamental break in values and objectives, impacting not only Canada but potentially the entire western alliance.
- Canada's position signals that the America built upon certain expectations is over, and a return to 'normal' is unlikely.