The Battle with Trump Can Free Canada Up for a Better Future
Canada has largely failed to develop its international export capability. It’s missed out on an opportunity to ease an unhealthy dependence on one nation — The United States.
It’s the perfect time to launch a new international trade program and get over our reluctance to trade with the rest of the world.
President Trump is hitting Canada ridiculously hard with tariffs and damaging statements about Canada on the world political stage including yesterday at the WEF conference. Americans want their country’s health to return, but his demeanor is unpleasant and it’s creating significant brand damage for the US. In response, hapless Canadian politicians are threatening dollar-for-dollar tariff damage, instead of using diplomacy and negotiations.
The newly elected Donald Trump has done anything but respect our people. His rancor for Canada surely must be due to Justin Trudeau and the Woke Liberal Party. Because the amount of fentanyl and illegal migrants entering the US from Canada is negligible. Trump is becoming increasingly reckless and uncertainty is something investors find distasteful. At this point, it looks like he’s drunk on power and exhibiting poor judgment.
Canada is vulnerable given the neglect of its economy and poor trading relations with the globe.
Trump’s Not Sure How to Manage the Situation
In his last speech, he seemed to get Canada and Mexico confused on this topic, perhaps showing he’s exhausted and not thinking straight. Given what he’s been put through the last 10 years, it’s not surprising to see his mental decline.
The issue for Canada is that there isn’t any legitimate person to respond and get President Trump back on track – except for Danielle Smith.
I’m not saying I’m thrilled with her reluctance to see exports of oil and gas terminated to the US as a point of national unity. When oil retreats to $50 a barrel, things will look different. And this might be where we’re going. Reliance on oil is only a temporary solution. The issues for the whole country remain as Trump will insist on trade balance.
He and the Republicans have no compassion for the leftist Woke movement and want to wipe it out. Trudeau and the Liberals, in office, ties us to all that. Canada needs an election right now to reassure the world that we have nothing to do with that garbage and that we will meet our military commitments and take our border seriously like an adult.
He hasn’t taken aim at Mexico yet, but I’ll bet that’s coming shortly after Canada gets its eyes burned under the spotlight.
Trump’s Resolute Nature
Trump’s writing hand must be cramped after penning his jagged signature on more than 100 executive orders. By the way, I am a handwriting analyst, and know that he is stubborn, willful, and extremely narrow in his views.
You don’t see handwriting like this every day. It reveals someone on always the battlefield (real estate deals in New York).
His signature looks like a big jagged border fence and that last downward stroke on the p shows his determination and self-destructiveness. The small p has no ascender stroke and those with it are feisty and contentious. Tall capitals reveal his ambition, and the retracing at the tops shows he’s bitter and resentful. The wide pasty stroke shows a passion for his mission, and the sharp small letters u and m show strong initiative, desire for perfection, and a very sharp, analytical mind (surprising right?). We should take that seriously. Heavy downward strokes are threatening showing he’ll use blunt force. It’s a stubborn character who tends to draw an angry response. Life isn’t a real estate deal and his actions will leave a lasting bad taste in the world’s mouth.
He may not realize that his strengths are also his greatest weakness, that he’s gone overboard and is unrealistic in pushing his agenda forward too forcefully. The burgeoning reaction toward the US could actually topple his government. If someone he trusts doesn’t speak to him, and help him, his tenure might indeed be short.
If you’re pro-American and want to see the US come back to its former glory, you can’t get a more perfect stalwart of the American dream. It’s no joke, he really believes in “make America great again.” and American needs it.
It’s Not Our Business to Say No to “Make America Great Again“
For us Canadians, it’s none of our business because that’s their country. We’re not Americans, nor do we want to be. We might try being objective, but still stand our ground, yet let him revive his country (it is a mess).
Our communications should be tuned to the idea that Canada is vital to his dream of American revival. He’ll see us as an ally and the tariffs will disappear thus we might see Ontario’s auto sector survive. Fight him, ridicule him and resist his MAGA dream, and Ontario’s manufacturing sector will die.
However, Canada is rich and powerful (our government doesn’t like us to know this). There’s more wealth here than we can imagine. Canadians don’t need to limit ourselves with this incredible bounty of wealth — It’s Ours! Let’s focus on the potential and activate all Canadians.
Right now, Trump only has Kevin the traitor O’Leary to speak to. Trudeau’s diplomats such as Melany Jolie spewing out threats just rankles him even more. Having her in public speaking to American Democrat media is going to cost us.
Trump is angry and exhausted and this is a time to lay off and let him vent. Because he is powerful and can hurt us. It’s black and white to him, and we have to tell him which side we’re on. Otherwise, Canada will sink into a deep recession, given 70% of our trade is with the US. The Canadian dollar could sink to 50 cents US.
Becoming an Exporting Country: Reaching the World
Canada can use this confusing time to build a new national international trade strategy. We’re almost starting from scratch, but we get to fully design the program with our current opportunities. It will help us develop new products and services in technology and most importantly attract new investment. While our collapsing CAD is a pain, it also gives us a substantial cost advantage to launch our new export program (silver lining).
Who do you believe is the best international trade partner for Canada?
I’m thinking the UK, Europe, and Vietnam are great opportunities. We can sell oil, coal, and wheat to India and China.
Here are some stats from the Canadian government for background.
Empowering the Provinces
Alberta’s oil is almost endless so we need to allow investment in that industry to maximize its output, supporting Alberta in any way we can. I think Pierre Poilievre will likely do that.
Ontario, BC, Saskatchewan and Quebec each have their export strengths and each should be encouraged to focus on their potential exports to trade partners.
Trudeau’s Global Affairs department, soon to be renamed by Poliviere, boasted that Canada is on target to reach its 50% export growth targets. But with the Trump tariffs, that is unlikely. It’s certain we’re in for some tariffs, and Ontario’s exports could be devastated. It could be on life-support in 2025 and it will take a Canada-wide effort to keep the country together.
What Can Canada Export?
IBIS World forecasts our top exports:
Oil Drilling & Gas Extraction: Exports for 2025: $158.2B
Chicken Egg Production: Exports for 2025: $80.7B
SUV & Light Truck Manufacturing: Exports for 2025: $40.7B
Petroleum Refining: Exports for 2025: $27.6B
Aircraft, Engine & Parts Manufacturing: Exports for 2025: $17.0B
Mineral & Phosphate Mining: Exports for 2025: $15.4B
Car & Automobile Manufacturing: Exports for 2025: $13.7B
Aluminum Manufacturing: Exports for 2025: $13.6B
Copper, Zinc & Lead Refining: Exports for 2025: $12.2B
Meat, Beef & Poultry Processing: Exports for 2025: $11.5B
Conclusion on Trade Relations
If we butt heads with Donald Trump, we’re going to suffer a head injury. Responding to the challenge is a sign of weakness but one of having strength and confidence. The US political situation isn’t our business. We’re not American.
The correct response is of quiet diplomacy and support for America’s economic health (they’re our customer and source of income). We can take this time to begin exploring what we have to offer the world and begin the process of developing export markets.
See more on the 2025 US economy, Trump 2.0 agenda, and the US stock market forecast. The next 3 months will be interesting!
