How the trade war could reshape Canada

[mookiemcgee]

Question to my Canadian friends...

After thinking about it for last night while high as f*ck, a picture started to form in my mind of this tariff war actually doing more easily for Canada what Trump claims it will do for the US (increase domestic production, reduce (not eliminate) the reliance on cheap imported goods the economy). It already seems like there is some galvanizing around the idea of 'buying Canadian' in a way that is going to be fairly universal among your people as you all equally feel slighted by this move rather than it being a politically divisive move domestically. You will also have the benefit of having a tariff war with a single country vs going into a tariff war with all your trade partners at once. While the cost of American imported goods may go higher, you will have more options of alternate countries to bring goods in from with no tariffs and there will likely be alot of gov't support for producing goods domestically. I think we could also see loads of American consumers trying to buy goods from Canadian retailers to save money (Nvidia processors come to mind here initially), which could meaningfully boost the economy (my whole life it's been Canadians trying to buy cheaper good within the USA).


So I guess my question is, for sure short term pains ahead... but could this be a good thing for the Canadian economy in the medium-long term? For sure there are some industries that are too intertwined and will certainly suffer, but is there some optimism that it could force Canada to realign its economy in a way that could be long term beneficial?

[KoolBak]

For 45 years, I have religiously only purchased Canadian whisky ( ie, no american whiskey / bourbon; I do also occasionally acquire gin, vodka and tequila, but 90 percent of my substantial liquor budget is to my good Canadian neighbors).

I should get some kind of international award.

[mookiemcgee]

For 45 years, I have religiously only purchased Canadian whisky ( ie, no american whiskey / bourbon; I do also occasionally acquire gin, vodka and tequila, but 90 percent of my substantial liquor budget is to my good Canadian neighbors).

I should get some kind of international award.

Because it's better or ??? I'd imagine you are still going to buy it even if price jumps 25-35%, because you like it and are of enough means to absorb it?

One of the largest liquor purchasers in the world, the Ontario gov'ts alcohol buying arm (LCBO) is apparently going to discontinue all 'red state' liquor imports (basically no more bourbon). I personally don't see any wisdom in this for a variety of reasons, but Canadian rye sales are about to boom.

[Dukasaur]

The short answer to you question is no, it will not be a good thing. Trade wars are always bad.

Is there any offsetting good? Yes, I think Canada will find itself on the world markets again. I think there will be an awakening that we can't be reliant on the US for 80% of our exports, and there will be a much bigger push for rediscovering our connections to Europe and Asia.

There is already talk about joining the EU. I don't think it will happen, but it's cool to fantasize about.

[KoolBak]

Yes, Mook....I would still purchase. Canadian is my go-to. I detest all other whiskies. ESPECIALLY bourbon.

Yes, I know I'm weird. And I'm damn fine with that

[HitRed]

Here in Texas, commercials from Canada showing friendship with the USA air everyday.


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O’Leary is on all the time stating Canada is a gem that is just mismanaged by over regulation.
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Maybe instead of fighting do the opposite. Remove any remaining tariffs, reduced regulations hindering business, reduce taxes, more construction, open the door more to outside investment. NAFTA 3.0. Join the fentanyl fight.

[Dukasaur]

O’Leary is on all the time stating Canada is a gem that is just mismanaged by over regulation.

O'Leary is, to put it nicely, a fucking idiot.

[mookiemcgee]

Maybe instead of fighting do the opposite. Remove any remaining tariffs, reduced regulations hindering business, reduce taxes, more construction, open the door more to outside investment. NAFTA 3.0. Join the fentanyl fight.

Lol, the absolute arrogance and complete out of touch-ness of this is...exactly what I'd expect.

America declares trade war against it's neighbor and your advice is that they just 'don't fight back' because american tariffs are good, but Canadian retaliatory tariffs are bad. Roll over Canada, God's choice for president wants to run a train on your country and we all know rape is easier if you don't fight back. Great input hitred, I'm sure Canadians will react well to it.

Blanket tariffs on countries rather than specific products or industries are an 'experiment' in failed economic policy. I guess that's where republicans are now though, if it was from 100+ years ago and 'the media' said it was bad your whole life then it's actually probably good and George Soros just brainwashed everyone else.

If only we could look back in history and see how tariffs worked out for americans in the past

[HitRed]

The leaders in the provenances are talking about removing US alcohol. Trump is 40 levels above that. He’s moving like a freight train.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/ways-canada- ... p_catchall

[saxitoxin]

I agree with OP that this will be good for Canada.

The concessions Canada has to make are all things that will benefit their country. They have to increase spending on the defense of their own airspace, they have to increase screening and security for their own airports and seaports, and they have to accept fewer immigrants that use Canada as a stopover before moving South. Trump isn't even making them take Harry back.

I say this as a Canadaphile that the status quo in Canada is nothing any Canadian should be happy about. Chinese spies have infiltrated the B.C. government. Indian spies are conducting assassinations on Canadian territory. The Russian air force is regularly violating Canadian airspace. Canada has turned itself into the doormat of the world. "Losing" this trade war will make it stronger and more secure.

[jusplay4fun]

Maybe instead of fighting do the opposite. Remove any remaining tariffs, reduced regulations hindering business, reduce taxes, more construction, open the door more to outside investment. NAFTA 3.0. Join the fentanyl fight.

Good one, Mookie. You're getting into the spirit of Political Satire. I tend to agree with the sentiments expressed in this Political commentary and Cartoon.

Tariffs ALONE will not work as intended. BUT, Trump has more than tariffs to use.

[Dukasaur]

I agree with OP that this will be good for Canada.

The concessions Canada has to make are all things that will benefit their country. They have to increase spending on the defense of their own airspace, they have to increase screening and security for their own airports and seaports, and they have to accept fewer immigrants that use Canada as a stopover before moving South. Trump isn't even making them take Harry back.

I say this as a Canadaphile that the status quo in Canada is nothing any Canadian should be happy about. Chinese spies have infiltrated the B.C. government. Indian spies are conducting assassinations on Canadian territory. The Russian air force is regularly violating Canadian airspace. Canada has turned itself into the doormat of the world. "Losing" this trade war will make it stronger and more secure.

I actually don't disagree.

Having some good consequences doesn't make it right.

[saxitoxin]

I agree with OP that this will be good for Canada.

The concessions Canada has to make are all things that will benefit their country. They have to increase spending on the defense of their own airspace, they have to increase screening and security for their own airports and seaports, and they have to accept fewer immigrants that use Canada as a stopover before moving South. Trump isn't even making them take Harry back.

I say this as a Canadaphile that the status quo in Canada is nothing any Canadian should be happy about. Chinese spies have infiltrated the B.C. government. Indian spies are conducting assassinations on Canadian territory. The Russian air force is regularly violating Canadian airspace. Canada has turned itself into the doormat of the world. "Losing" this trade war will make it stronger and more secure.

I actually don't disagree.

Having some good consequences doesn't make it right.

True. Tariffs should have been the step of last resort with Canada and Mexico, and this should have been handled privately first (maybe it was, though, I dunno).

I have no problem with it being the first step with China or Europe, however, there are other considerations that have to be accounted for with North American nations. This was ultimately about Trudeau and the fact that he's undiplomatically inserted himself into U.S. domestic politics against Trump during the preceding four years (i.e. this), violating all norms; particularly offensive was he chose to do it at the U.S.' weakest moment and - like a snake in the reeds - waited until he thought Trump was powerless to respond to launch a broadside. These transgressions have to result in public retribution or they're normalized.

[jusplay4fun]

I will respond to the point Saxi makes (in his previous post. i.e., this) about the events of Jan. 6, 2021.

I do think foreign leaders can offer their comments about those events. I think too that the Dems overplayed their hand with the House hearings on those events. And convictions of 1500-1600 persons involved seem excessive when NO one (or nearly no one) was prosecuted for the riots and destruction in 2020 in many major cities.

Despite protestations and excuses by Trump, he bears LOTS of responsibility for the riot on January 6, 2021. I did not agree with Trump's words, actions, and inactions that day.

I, like most Americans, condemn those actions by those who rioted, and participated in a near insurrection or actual insurrection.

As, I said at that time, Trump's character flaw is that he fails to admit and take responsibility for his LOSS. Trump is a sore loser.

Another of Trump's character flaws is that he has overly thin skin and responds aggressively to the minimum of perceived insults and slights. That is a side-effect of his "fighter" mentality. He seems calmer about such things in his second term, but it is early in that 4 year term.

(btw: This may belong elsewhere, in another thread, but I am responding to that previous post and aside by Saxi regarding Trudeau.)