Canada

Days before tariffs that have the potential to cripple Canada’s economy are expected to come into effect, Canadian politicians are pushing the message that the country is cracking down on one of U.S. President Donald Trump’s main concerns.

Since his re-election in November, Trump has repeatedly said he would hit Canada and others with tariffs of up to 25 per cent. On his first day back in the Oval Office, Trump suggested tariffs on Canadian goods could be coming on Saturday.

While he’s shifted back and forth on his irritants, one concern Trump has cited is drugs — such as fentanyl — entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico.

Trump’s tariff threats have provoked an existential crisis along with a cacophony of reactions from coast-to-coast on how best to deal with it. Aside from Alberta Premier Danielle Smith (and now Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe), the assumption that retaliatory action is required is going unchallenged among politicians. This consensus view draws from the successes of Canada’s approach last time around – but the problem is that the approach that worked the last time likely won’t work today.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s nominee to run the Commerce Department, Howard Lutnick, said on Wednesday that Canada and Mexico can avoid Trump’s threatened 25-per-cent import tariffs if they swiftly act to stop allowing fentanyl and illegal immigrants into the U.S.

Lutnick told a U.S. Senate Commerce Committee hearing that the tariffs were separate from a broad effort by the Commerce Department, the U.S. Trade Representative’s office and the U.S. Treasury to review trading relationships and tariffs by April 1.

The U.S. is threatening a two-stage tariff plan in which Canada and Mexico could get hit with initial trade penalties within days then face broader penalties this spring.

In summary it’s: Maybe tariffs now, and maybe more tariffs later.

The details emerged Wednesday at the U.S. Senate confirmation hearing for the person chosen to lead President Donald Trump’s tariff policy, Howard Lutnick.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is not backing down.

She will defend Alberta.

She is asked again and again and again.

Smith’s latest answer?

No way. No how. You can call her traitor, often and louder each time you accuse her of treason.

There is little doubt that one Donald J. Trump has truly and effectively rattled his northern neighbour’s chains. Aren’t the Americans our friends — and vice versa? Is the president serious in his desire to make Canada the 51st state? He certainly seemed serious enough when discussing his proposed takeover of Greenland with the Danish prime minister last week. Such intensity and unpredictability of purpose has sent the leaders of that country, reminiscent of the Canadian Liberals in their political orientation, into a tizzy — one that has extended to their socialist and globalist European compatriots. Who is this horrible orange-haired man, they wonder, and what does he want?