Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

A sensible solution to the U.S.-Canada "trade war"
original to Free Republic | March 11, 2025 | Peter O'Donnell

Posted on 03/11/2025 2:23:25 PM PDT by Peter ODonnell

As a member of a Canadian political party, I have written today to various Canadian politicians to suggest the following template for a solution to the current trade war that is escalating between Canada and the United States.

I think this template would lead to an amicable solution and reduce the unpleasant tension now existing, which is deterring ordinary people from making travel plans or considering business deals. This is not a situation that is helping either country in its present form, and my suggestion would place it in a more optimistic framework.

First suggestion is that there would be a 90-day pause to allow Canada to have a federal election in April or May and this would give Canadians a chance to empower a new government with policies they wanted to see pursued in any talks with the American government.

Second suggestion is that we rule out any notions of political union (annexation of Canada). This is not desired by any more than a small percentage of Canadians and frankly, it would not play into any recognizable long-term goals of the current U.S. administration, as Canada would no doubt be an additional source of votes for their opponents, the Democrats. I could note in passing that many Canadians are finding it rude for a foreign leader to casually imply that we should join the United States, as one new state when our land area is actually greater than that of the U.S.A. in total. There is almost zero support for the idea among Canadians; some western Canadians are upset with the Ottawa government but most of them favor independence, not political annexation.

A third suggestion is that we consider a renewed economic union based on the lowest set of tariffs, if not a total elimination of all of them, similar to the European Union, but without the political apparatus of the EU.

And finally, a fourth suggestion is that comprehensive talks between our leaders (once Canada decides on its new government) would go deeply into issues of border security, drug trafficking, and the influence of foreign countries, notably China but also any other third parties.

I would favor having parallel talks between U.S., Canada and Mexico at a later date; any economic union between United States and Canada would likely not be feasible to extend seamlessly to Mexico, so there it would be necessary to renegotiate the three-country trade agreements in place. Border issues between the U.S. and Mexico are clearly on a different scale and that part of the process would no doubt be advancing regularly while this U.S.-Canada process went forward.

I think it's fair to say Canadians don't want a trade war and many Canadians are not that well-informed on specific tariff issues that are irritants. The dairy sector seems to be a particular flash point. It is ridiculous in the extreme to toss out a long history of friendship and mutual co-operation between two sovereign nations over the price of eggs or milk. A full renegotiation of U.S.-Canada trade will allow all these issues to be fully debated and in my opinion the negotiations should take place in public so that the populations of our two countries can see what their representatives are saying to each other on these important matters. There should be nothing to hide, even on matters like Chinese interference -- this is already an issue in both countries, let the people see what's going on and what our leaders propose to do about it.

Personally I would like to see complete free trade between the two countries, no tariffs, and reduced barriers to trade. Canada has internal issues to solve in this regard, it will no doubt be an election issue to resolve long-standing interprovincial trade concerns.

The 90-day pause should not be viewed as problematic on either side. We need to get some clarity in Canada about what our policies will be and who will be in charge. Americans would be similarly upset and displeased if a foreign power leaned heavily on the U.S.A. in the October of an election year and through the interval between election day and inauguration day especially if the voters had chosen a different party to lead. This is potentially the situation in Canada now.

So, my saying all this means nothing, but if one of the Canadian political parties picks up on these ideas, it may give some added weight and lead President Trump towards considering a 90-day pause, so long as Canada follows through with an early election call (we don't legally have to call an election before the late summer into autumn, or as a result of non-confidence vote in the House of Commons, but newly installed PM-designate Carney will be wise to follow tradition and call an election as soon as feasible to allow voters to confirm or deny his party's choice -- this was done in 1984 when John Turner was similarly elected leader after Pierre Trudeau resigned).

I hope my suggestion of adult supervision will not come as a shock to the system. I believe there can be a great economic partnership between the two nations but only after a fair discussion and the mutual respect that a fair discussion requires.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Government; Politics; Travel
KEYWORDS: canada
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-39 last
To: Peter ODonnell

Parity in tariffs, don’t be a middle man for China, pay your NATO bill and watch your border. Those are the terms.


21 posted on 03/11/2025 3:20:58 PM PDT by enduserindy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SoConPubbie
US and Canada negotiate an increase by Canada of its border officers and resources to stem the flow of Illegals and Fentynal.

And this is really what all the fuss is about, isn't it.

I don't get why Canada doesn't jump right on it and diffuse the whole situation. It's not like Trump is asking for the moon.

And I'm convinced all the talk about 51st state is just Trump trolling.

22 posted on 03/11/2025 3:31:04 PM PDT by grobdriver (The CDC can KMA!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: SoConPubbie

Agreed. Remove the tariffs or worst case go reciprocal. If Canada desperately needs tariffs to protect their producers, then the business model needs to be looked at.


23 posted on 03/11/2025 3:44:41 PM PDT by Made In The USA (One and Two and Three and Four and)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Peter ODonnell

We can throw switches to overcome the canidiots cutting power..
Perhaps they just realized 87% of their toilet paper comes from the U.S.
Can’t flip a switch and manufacture toilet paper


24 posted on 03/11/2025 4:13:02 PM PDT by joe fonebone (And the people said NO! The End)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Peter ODonnell
Some dilemmas are easier to solve than others.


25 posted on 03/11/2025 5:05:43 PM PDT by Albion Wilde (“Did you ever meet a woke person that’s happy? There’s no such thing.” —Donald J. Trump)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Peter ODonnell

That’s a great analysis. A simpler solution is to have Canada and Mexico end tariffs on the US and the US will do the same. No tariffs.


26 posted on 03/11/2025 5:21:34 PM PDT by EQAndyBuzz (Privatize the administrative state!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Texas Eagle

Yeah, that 43 lbs ALL OF last year made a YUGE difference, as did the 20 k (over the YEAR) illegals. That’s in comparison to the 25K lbs of Fentanyl coming over the southern border, and the 20K PER DAY illegals.

Proportion and intelligent response, not wild knee-jerk is how adults deal with things normally.


27 posted on 03/11/2025 6:55:38 PM PDT by Don W (When blacks riot, neighborhoods and cities burn. When whites riot, nations and continents burn)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Peter ODonnell
A key point that has to be reckoned with is that the Chinese triads and CCP have developed a deep hold on Canada and use it for money laundering throughout the hemisphere, for the drug trade into the US, and for spy operations against the US. The triads and the CCP have also bought enough political influence to sidetrack investigations and for a key Chinese drug figure to have a private meeting with Trudeau.

This is the likely reason for Canada's unwillingness to act strongly against China's massive and lethal fentanyl trade into the US. With key Canadian institutions and political figures deeply compromised, it is hard for Canada to accommodate ending the drug trade, which is a major purpose of Trump's tariffs against Canada.

28 posted on 03/11/2025 10:46:56 PM PDT by Rockingham
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Don W
Yyyeahhh. I think that's the issue. They SIEZED 43 lbs all of last year. If you think only 43 lbs came over, you must be high.

On fentanyl probably.

Let's go, Dudley Dooright. Kick it up a notch, eh?

29 posted on 03/12/2025 10:46:52 AM PDT by Texas Eagle ("Throw me to the wolves and I'll return leading the pack"- Donald J. Trump)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: Peter ODonnell

A 25% tariff on aluminum will add $.03 per can on beer. That may put Bud Light out of business


30 posted on 03/12/2025 10:52:18 AM PDT by anton
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Texas Eagle

Like I said, some folks have no sense of proportion.

The amount that got through is of course more than what was seized. That goes without saying. Look at the amounts seized and extrapolate how much got through at each point.

Somehow the lower amount, while admittedly more than is acceptable, seems considerably less harmful.

Or are you that style of teacher that imposes draconian punishments on the entire class because one kid showed up late once because they were involved in a bus accident?

Then there is the whole “Who is responsible for what ENTERS the USA?” question. If it’s completely the neighbour’s responsibility, why do you even have a Customs and Border Patrol?

This is a problem for us on both sides of the border. Making it completely one party’s fault is misguided and delusional. Working together on this will be far more productive and successful than playing a no-winner blame game as some seem to want.

“Dudley Doo-Right”? and you expect to be taken seriously?

Whatever you say, Sheriff Buford T. Justus.


31 posted on 03/12/2025 11:02:44 AM PDT by Don W (When blacks riot, neighborhoods and cities burn. When whites riot, nations and continents burn)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Don W
Oh, oh, oh. I didn't realize that arriving late to class resulted in thousands of deaths or that fentanyl was coming over by accident.

Thanks for FReepsplaining this to me. You win.

32 posted on 03/12/2025 11:09:13 AM PDT by Texas Eagle ("Throw me to the wolves and I'll return leading the pack"- Donald J. Trump)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: Rockingham

Yes, and Canadian conservatives suspect that Trudeau’s resignation is to reduce the impact on Liberal voting if this becomes understood by general populace in the election, likely as a result of the info being disclosed by intel (either country’s intel). At present time, only a small fraction of Canadians have much insight into Trudeau’s dealings with China.

Imagine if Trump came out with a direct allegation (hints have been dropped). Our compromised media would be forced to cover the story.


33 posted on 03/12/2025 11:36:04 AM PDT by Peter ODonnell (For two countries with so many lawyers, there ain't much justice in Canada or America (yet))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: Peter ODonnell
I hope my suggestion of adult supervision will not come as a shock to the system.

Really? The adult in the room is Trump.

34 posted on 03/12/2025 11:40:09 AM PDT by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Peter ODonnell
“Americans would be similarly upset and displeased if a foreign power leaned heavily on the U.S.A.”

The world already tariffs the snot out of our exports. Have you not been paying attention? The USA has been in a trade war for 50 years or more. Don't call fighting back starting a war.

Admit it, what you want is to go back to the previous status quo.

35 posted on 03/12/2025 11:43:34 AM PDT by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: anton
That may put Bud Light out of business

Dylan Mulvaney hurt the most.

36 posted on 03/12/2025 11:47:54 AM PDT by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: Peter ODonnell

You are correct.


37 posted on 03/12/2025 12:55:20 PM PDT by Rockingham
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: central_va

No I don’t want to leave these issues unsolved, and you left out the context in the quote. It’s the timing that is problematic, this can only work to delay an election and thereby a solution.


38 posted on 03/12/2025 5:06:30 PM PDT by Peter ODonnell (For two countries with so many lawyers, there ain't much justice in Canada or America (yet))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: Texas Eagle

Wow, even the simplest of metaphors confuses you.

This has long been a place for intelligent conversation, where different perspectives can logically and in an adult manner discuss various topics, but I suppose there are exceptions on every board.

Good day sir, enjoy yourself.


39 posted on 03/12/2025 8:34:00 PM PDT by Don W (When blacks riot, neighborhoods and cities burn. When whites riot, nations and continents burn)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-39 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson