Breaking Free: How Trump is Forcing Canada to Stand on Its Own
Is Donald Trump the Best Thing to Happen to Canada?
Stick with me here…
Like many, I’ve watched in horror as the USA has devolved into an authoritarian nightmare – one that has fully approved and funded the genocide of Palestinians for years now. Every day, it becomes more apparent that the U.S. is not the beacon of democracy it claims to be, and its influence on global politics is nothing short of destructive.
I’ve always thought of Canada as the U.S.’s little lapdog – a trusty sidekick that follows along, rarely causing a fuss, always obedient to our more prominent and influential neighbour. But what happens when our so-called "master" becomes wholly unhinged and isolates itself on the world stage? How do we prevent ourselves from getting dragged down with them?
Enter Donald Trump
I never thought I’d say this, but I want to thank Donald Trump.
Seriously, his chaotic reign has unintentionally done Canada a few favors. He may be an unmitigated disaster for the United States, but his presidency has forced Canada into a position where we might finally find the courage to stand on our own two feet.
Breaking Up With a Toxic Partner
One of Trump’s most significant and puzzling moves so far has been the torching of America’s closest and longest-standing relationships and alliances.
Canada, of course, was one of the first on his hit list. The imposition of tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum in 2018 was a clear message: the U.S. under Trump had no interest in maintaining our historically friendly trade relationship. He repeatedly called NAFTA the “worst trade deal in history” and replaced it with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which included provisions that primarily benefited the U.S. at the expense of Canada’s economic independence.
Strangely, though, Trump’s hostility may have been the push we needed.
For too long, Canada has relied on the U.S. as its primary trading partner, assuming we would always have access to the American market. Trump’s "America First" policies have shown us just how vulnerable we are when we tie ourselves too closely to a country that could turn on us at any moment.
Let’s be honest - this relationship was always toxic.
For decades, Canada’s economy has been at the mercy of American policies. Our oil industry depends on U.S. buyers, American trade agreements dictate our agriculture exports, and our defense strategy is deeply tied to U.S. interests. We’ve been the loyal sidekick, bending over backward to keep our "best friend" happy.
But now, the break-up is happening - whether we wanted it or not - and we might actually be better off for it.
The Rest of the World Has Our Back
One unexpected benefit of Trump’s erratic foreign policy is that it has made Canada more attractive as a trade partner to the rest of the world. With Trump alienating traditional allies and pushing protectionist policies, countries that used to rely on American economic cooperation are now looking to Canada as a stable alternative.
Take the European Union, for example. In the wake of Trump’s trade wars, Canada has deepened its economic ties with Europe through the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). This deal allows Canadian businesses greater access to European markets, reducing our reliance on the U.S. Meanwhile, Asian countries have shown increased interest in Canadian exports, particularly in the agricultural and technology sectors.
Even Mexico, once part of the tightly integrated North American supply chain, has been exploring closer economic ties with Canada, wary of Trump’s repeated threats to upend trade agreements.
Trump’s aggressive “America First” strategy has effectively pushed Canada to diversify its trade partnerships – a move that should have happened decades ago. If we play this right, we could finally reduce our dependency on the U.S. economy and build stronger, more resilient relationships with other nations.
Bringing Canadians Together
One of the strangest yet most uplifting consequences of Trump’s presidency is how it has united Canadians. It’s rare to see our politicians agree on anything, but when Trump turned his sights on Canada, we saw an unusual moment of solidarity across political lines. Even conservatives who might have admired Trump’s policies had to admit that his treatment of Canada was appalling.
When Trump imposed steel and aluminum tariffs, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded with retaliatory tariffs of his own, a move that garnered widespread support across the political spectrum. Even conservative premiers, who typically oppose Trudeau’s policies, backed the idea of standing up to Trump.
Beyond politics, everyday Canadians also started to take more pride in our independence. There has been a surge of support for buying Canadian-made products and intense boycott efforts against American-made products. This will reduce our reliance on American goods, and will support local industries.
The general sentiment among Canadians has been very clear: if Trump wants to bully Canada, we aren’t going to take it lying down.
Of course, not everyone is on board. There are still those who cling to the idea that Canada is broken and desperately needs American-style conservatism. These individuals often align themselves with Trump’s rhetoric, arguing that Canada should embrace the same hard-right policies. But the irony is that by doing so, they’re showing just how much they admire a leader who has done nothing but insult and undermine their own country.
The Bigger Picture
It’s easy to look at Trump’s presidency and see only the damage he has done - to the U.S., global stability, and human rights. And make no mistake, his impact has been overwhelmingly negative. But sometimes, even the worst leaders unintentionally create opportunities for others.
Trump’s America is no longer the reliable ally Canada once depended on. And maybe that’s a good thing. It’s forcing us to reconsider our economic strategies, trade relationships, and national identity. It’s pushing us to be more self-reliant, globally connected, and united as a country.
Conclusion
So, is Donald Trump the best thing to happen to Canada?
Probably not.
But he might be the wake-up call we needed.
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