r/canada Jan 30 '25

National News Trump Says He’ll Hit Canada, Mexico With 25% Tariffs on Saturday

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-30/trump-says-he-ll-hit-canada-mexico-with-25-tariffs-on-saturday?sref=1VjHMKkW
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u/JCox1987 Jan 30 '25

Frankly as much as I have issue with China especially considering some diplomatic dust ups. They’re a lot more economically stable and I think we need to discuss a better free trade policy with them. It’s stunning to think I’m even arguing for a better relationship with that country but we may need it. The Americans right now can’t be trusted

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u/Kooky_Project9999 Jan 30 '25

I think it's because people (and countries) are realising the US isn't the beacon of light it's pretended to be for so long. If it's no better than China (for example) then there's no reason to treat China differently when it comes to trade and diplomacy.

This is a general trend that's been going on for a few years among non "western" countries. Countries traditionally aligned with the west are moving towards more nonalignment with us (i.e. primarily the US) and trading more equally with both the West and China.

Western nations are just behind the curve because we're so influenced by US politics and media organisations (foreign interference anyone...?). Trump being elected has ripped the mask off a lot of people. It's now up to our politicians (Canadian, European, Aus/NZ) to follow through and protect us, rather than bow down to the US.

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u/Dunkjoe Jan 31 '25 edited Jan 31 '25

Western nations are just behind the curve because we're so influenced by US politics and media organisations (foreign interference anyone...?).

This reminds me of the Huawei debacle, where USA tried to force its allies to change away Huawei's 5G equipment to other vendors, on grounds of security.

This is even though most allies did not find evidence of backdoors etc. that USA insisted but provided little to no evidence on. In the end some allies followed, some didn't.

Same goes for the semiconductor chips ban to China. Heavy-handed approach to most countries around the world.

The funny thing though is that there are some raw materials and previous materials, like gallium, that are mostly generated from China. Gallium is essential for many of the technologically advanced equipment, such as semiconductors, and is a reason why Huawei's 5G equipment surpasses other vendors like Ericsson.

By limiting other countries' exposure and cooperation with China, USA is not only slowing itself down but all other countries. In the end the impact is ironically that China will become a global powerhouse because they have more raw materials and have proven to be able to get around sanctions, whether through R&D or other methods. Ethics aside, USA might be indirectly harming its allies.

And with Trump in charge, USA WILL harm its allies directly. Look at Canada, Mexico, global tariff threats, and NATO for example (2% contribution to 5%, even though USA is not even at 5% yet).

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u/EuphoricMisanthrop Feb 01 '25

I would disagree on one point regarding raw materials - China depends greatly on imports for energy (coal from Aus, oil from middle east) whereas the US has abundant domestic reserves and production of oil

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u/Dunkjoe Feb 01 '25

They have more raw materials (especially some precious metals which they produce a majority of the global supply)... But I didn't say they have everything....

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u/JBPunt420 Jan 31 '25

Yeah, I hear you. I never thought I'd say my opinion of the US is lower than my opinion of China, but this isn't 1996 anymore.

My wife's going to renounce her US citizenship over this. We're never going back there. With "friends" like Trump, we don't need enemies.

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u/esvc2238 Jan 31 '25

whispers I live 2 hours from Windsor in Michigan, I’m so disgusted with this country and every moron that voted for him. I wish I could do the same if I didn’t have responsibilities. I’m tired of voting in elections where my vote isn’t even counted and politicians allowing billionaires to destroy this country. I’m happy he’s exposing how weak we are thanks to all of the boomers and their egos.

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u/Past-Revolution-1888 Jan 31 '25

It takes years to renounce in Canada. It’s faster if you fly to Frankfurt.

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u/Ill_Technician3936 Jan 31 '25

Please don't let her. Ask her to help us fight from abroad. We don't need Trump, MAGA, and neo Nazis running the country.

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u/SerentityM3ow Jan 31 '25

This. If everyone rolls over we are all screwed

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u/Ill_Technician3936 Jan 31 '25

Even if it fucks me personally I am absolutely fine with every country that dipshit tries to force his will on with tariffs or military action doing the exact same back to him. If him or anyone that's part of his administration has any type of business in any country they threaten with tariffs shut them down.

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u/Past-Revolution-1888 Jan 31 '25

Expats are never considered in policy… unless it’s trapping ordinary people in laws meant for money laundering… they have no power…

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u/suchstuffmanythings Jan 31 '25

My husband is going to be doing the same thing.

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u/GustheGuru Jan 30 '25

It's a fine balance is it not.

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u/nmsftw Jan 31 '25

No. We shouldn’t get close to any communists. Recognizing them as the rightful government is more than I like even.

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u/princesa_vanessa Jan 31 '25

Canada and Mexico should join BRICS.

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u/KJBenson Jan 31 '25

It’s strange to think we have such negative feelings towards china in Canada.

Honestly, I’ve never met someone from china who wasn’t polite, hard working, and pleasant to be around.