Several weeks ago, President Trump surprised many Americans and Canadians by suggesting that Canada become the 51st state of the U.S. He also suggested that we need nothing Canada makes, including lumber and oil. Then he brought us to the brink of tariffs on all Canadian exports to the U.S.
Mr. Trump stated that he was leveling the tariffs on Canada and Mexico (which were to match those on Canada) to force them to reduce the flow of deadly fentanyl and undocumented immigrants into the United States. In fiscal 2024, the U.S. Border Patrol seized 43 pounds of incoming fentanyl on the Canadian border. During the same period, 21,100 pounds of fentanyl was seized at the Mexican border. During fiscal 2024, the number of undocumented immigrants caught coming in from Mexico exceeded 2.1 million, over 10 times the number caught arriving from Canada.
In response to the U.S. tariff threats, Canadians and Mexicans responded with threats of their own. Mr. Trump offered a thirty-day reprieve to both countries after which he would see how they have done with efforts to stem the flow of fentanyl and undocumented immigrants into the U. S.
How can we expect Canadians to respond to this series of events? Their status as a nation has been questioned. Their products have been devalued. Uncertainty regarding their future economic and political stability has dramatically increased on very short notice. None of this was their idea.
A cursory read of the Canadian press and anecdotal evidence from a few Canadians provides a bit of insight. Beyond retaliatory national tariffs, the Ontario Liquor Control Board threatened to stop purchases of American spirits, which would eliminate supplies to Ontario liquor stores, restaurants, and bars. The British Columbia Liquor Control Board threatened to stop purchases of spirits produced in red states. Presumably, these provincial measures are on hold like the national tariffs.
What is not on hold is the reactions of Canadian businesses and individual citizens.
Businesses are expanding relationships with potential customers and suppliers in Europe, Asia, and South and Central America. Customers and suppliers in the U.S. are less stable and reliable than in the past. Once relationships with U.S. suppliers and customers are replaced, American companies may find it difficult to regain the lost customers and suppliers.
Anecdotal evidence indicates that Canadian patriotism has risen. Canadians’ anger has been demonstrated by booing our national anthem at sporting events. It is also being demonstrated by avoiding products from the U.S., including travel to the U.S. These changes could become habit.
Can the U.S. bully Canada? For a while, certainly. But a continuing relationship is practically unavoidable with a neighbor with a very long border. Do we really benefit from hostile relations with our closet neighbors?
I only hope that Canadians will continue to welcome us when we visit.
Tom Legg
Palisade