Great update Fred. A little over a year ago when Trump held his Liberation Day tariff announcements, all the economists predicted that this was a suicidal move on the part of the USA and that the tariffs would have the opposite effect of what Trump was spouting. I'm so happy to see that they were right. The tariffs have really hurt US businesses and their economy. We've had a lot of pain in Canada as a result too, but I think in the long run it woke us up and in large parts thanks to Mark Carney, we are moving on in a very positive direction.
A lot of people still think this is just about tariffs.
It isn’t.
It’s about trust, stability, supply chains, investment flows, and whether countries feel safe tying their future too tightly to one unpredictable partner.
Canada took some hits too... no question.
But instead of panicking, we started adapting.
And the numbers are beginning to show what adaptation looks like in real time.
One irony I don't see mentioned much is that the claim was that the tariffs would move manufacturing back to the US. Biden had started projects to do that, but 1 of the first steps Orange Fulius took was to cancel all of them--without taking any steps to replace them or otherwise spur manufacturing. I guess he assumed they would just spring forth like those delicate little lilies after a rain.
Another great post Fred! Thank you! We are all happy to be doing so much better in our own country! Do you think the Witch of the West will clue in to that? Or is she still in a vibe with the orange ball? haha
My biggest worry is the focus on fossil fuels. Yes, they make money for the seller. BUT, and it's a big but, use of them harms our environment. Irreparably, potentially. Then, the next species to become extinct could well be HUMANS. I agree with all of your points about no longer relying on one customer (the US), etc., but we need to diversify what we are selling, badly. We need to sell more green energy technology and expertise. No source of energy is without its environmental impacts. But fossil fuels are the worst. Carney needs to encourage more clean energy use, development, and sales. Let's not just focus on the 'quick buck' of selling our (dwindling) supplies of fossil fuels to more customers. Let's offer them a more complete banquet. And for God's sake, let's NOT sell any access to our water until we have ensured that it is taken sustainably, there is enough for our own country, and the customer pays what it is truly worth.
Fair points, Leslie... and honestly, I think this is where the conversation needs to mature beyond the usual “oil good” vs “oil bad” shouting match.
Canada’s advantage isn’t just fossil fuels.
It’s resources, stability, engineering talent, electricity, fresh water, critical minerals, research, agriculture, and clean-tech potential all combined.
The real opportunity is using today’s resource wealth to help finance tomorrow’s transition intelligently instead of pretending we can flip a switch overnight without economic consequences.
And I completely agree on water.
Once you commodify water carelessly, you can never fully put that genie back in the bottle.
You are not wrong about fossil fuels, however, it is gonna take some time & money, that the regular Joe doesn't have, to move over to greener pathways. I believe it will come though. Yes, our waters, the lakes, streams, that people gain access to clean water with, are in danger from ONE OB man! Extra attention should be give to protect The Great Lakes! They are all beautiful & I swam in all of them haha. Canada's greatest cargo.
Given his evil intentions, I think we're actually lucky he's so damn stupid. As history has shown, his "acumen" hides the fact he's essentially a one-trick pony. He thinks that by "holding all the cards" (his favorite expression), ie, America's economic and military might, he can dictate all the terms in any deal. How wrong he's proven to be. His complete lack of strategic and analytical skills is now in full display; he has repeatedly failed to take into account that there are skilled and intelligent people on the opposite side of the bargaining table. He probably doesn't even realize that the smarter kids just stole his lunch.
Fantastic as usual, Geezer. For some reason your good articles are not showing up on my subscribed list. I’ll check settings but searching you does reveal your great stuff!
Great update Fred. A little over a year ago when Trump held his Liberation Day tariff announcements, all the economists predicted that this was a suicidal move on the part of the USA and that the tariffs would have the opposite effect of what Trump was spouting. I'm so happy to see that they were right. The tariffs have really hurt US businesses and their economy. We've had a lot of pain in Canada as a result too, but I think in the long run it woke us up and in large parts thanks to Mark Carney, we are moving on in a very positive direction.
Exactly, Frank.
A lot of people still think this is just about tariffs.
It isn’t.
It’s about trust, stability, supply chains, investment flows, and whether countries feel safe tying their future too tightly to one unpredictable partner.
Canada took some hits too... no question.
But instead of panicking, we started adapting.
And the numbers are beginning to show what adaptation looks like in real time.
I'm an American, and I agree with you.
One irony I don't see mentioned much is that the claim was that the tariffs would move manufacturing back to the US. Biden had started projects to do that, but 1 of the first steps Orange Fulius took was to cancel all of them--without taking any steps to replace them or otherwise spur manufacturing. I guess he assumed they would just spring forth like those delicate little lilies after a rain.
That’s the part a lot of people miss, djw.
You can’t rebuild manufacturing with slogans and tariffs alone.
Factories don’t magically appear because somebody caps-locks “AMERICA FIRST” on social media.
You need infrastructure.
Investment certainty.
Skilled labour.
Supply chains.
Long-term policy stability.
And as you pointed out, some of the very projects designed to rebuild that foundation got scrapped before replacements even existed.
That creates chaos... not industrial revival.
Haha, I was thinking similar, that the earth would just spit them out!
Another great post Fred! Thank you! We are all happy to be doing so much better in our own country! Do you think the Witch of the West will clue in to that? Or is she still in a vibe with the orange ball? haha
Thanks Patsy. 😄
Honestly, I think a lot of politicians are still mentally stuck in the old world...
the one where Canada had no choice but to follow wherever Washington pointed.
But the world’s changing fast now.
Markets are shifting.
Trade routes are shifting.
Investment is shifting.
And Canadians are starting to realize we actually have more options than we were led to believe for a very long time.
Excellent article Fred, thank you 💯🇨🇦💪🏻
My biggest worry is the focus on fossil fuels. Yes, they make money for the seller. BUT, and it's a big but, use of them harms our environment. Irreparably, potentially. Then, the next species to become extinct could well be HUMANS. I agree with all of your points about no longer relying on one customer (the US), etc., but we need to diversify what we are selling, badly. We need to sell more green energy technology and expertise. No source of energy is without its environmental impacts. But fossil fuels are the worst. Carney needs to encourage more clean energy use, development, and sales. Let's not just focus on the 'quick buck' of selling our (dwindling) supplies of fossil fuels to more customers. Let's offer them a more complete banquet. And for God's sake, let's NOT sell any access to our water until we have ensured that it is taken sustainably, there is enough for our own country, and the customer pays what it is truly worth.
Fair points, Leslie... and honestly, I think this is where the conversation needs to mature beyond the usual “oil good” vs “oil bad” shouting match.
Canada’s advantage isn’t just fossil fuels.
It’s resources, stability, engineering talent, electricity, fresh water, critical minerals, research, agriculture, and clean-tech potential all combined.
The real opportunity is using today’s resource wealth to help finance tomorrow’s transition intelligently instead of pretending we can flip a switch overnight without economic consequences.
And I completely agree on water.
Once you commodify water carelessly, you can never fully put that genie back in the bottle.
You are not wrong about fossil fuels, however, it is gonna take some time & money, that the regular Joe doesn't have, to move over to greener pathways. I believe it will come though. Yes, our waters, the lakes, streams, that people gain access to clean water with, are in danger from ONE OB man! Extra attention should be give to protect The Great Lakes! They are all beautiful & I swam in all of them haha. Canada's greatest cargo.
That’s exactly it, Patsy.
Transitions sound simple in speeches.
They’re a lot harder when people still have mortgages, heating bills, and gas tanks to fill.
The goal should be moving forward intelligently...
not pretending millions of ordinary people can absorb massive costs overnight without consequences.
And I agree completely about water.
Most Canadians still don’t fully realize how strategically valuable our freshwater systems are becoming globally.
The Great Lakes aren’t just beautiful.
They’re one of the greatest long-term assets this country has.
I live on one of them now, and have lived on 2 of the other Great Lakes in the past. We must protect them, for sure.
Given his evil intentions, I think we're actually lucky he's so damn stupid. As history has shown, his "acumen" hides the fact he's essentially a one-trick pony. He thinks that by "holding all the cards" (his favorite expression), ie, America's economic and military might, he can dictate all the terms in any deal. How wrong he's proven to be. His complete lack of strategic and analytical skills is now in full display; he has repeatedly failed to take into account that there are skilled and intelligent people on the opposite side of the bargaining table. He probably doesn't even realize that the smarter kids just stole his lunch.
Great post Fred, I find it comforting, sane. I live in Alberta, enough said…
Fantastic as usual, Geezer. For some reason your good articles are not showing up on my subscribed list. I’ll check settings but searching you does reveal your great stuff!
Well said, and totally true.