Washington is again threatening the very trade deal it once celebrated... while Canada quietly posts record exports, diversifies markets, and acts like the grown-up in the room.
Thanks, Fred, for the calm response to the insanity being thrown at us day by day. I’m thankful Canada has chosen a calm and steady hand in Mr Carney. Anyone who has been in a row boat in choppy waters knows slow and steady movements can get the boat righted again, fast and furious sends everyone into the water.
I’ve often compared what we’re doing now to evening the playing field: we’re not going to be able to fully abandon the United States but we can make it to where they have to start waiting in the queue like every one else
The problem stems from the vision of one person whose legacy he wants to be the person who joined Greenland, Canada and the United States into the largest country on earth. When he goes things will normalize. Hopefully we won't have to wait a long time. 8 months at the most.
Ya unfortunately the only way we can truly get out of this is if Trump kicks the bucket at this point but even then when the dust settles Democrats and Republicans have to stop convincing themselves that things can go back to normal
Ya we’ll continue to trade with the United States but they also have to stop assuming something as comprehensive as CUSMA is even possible now
Great issue Fred! I'm with Carney, why sit at a table you haven't been invited to? Personally, I would rather starve than do that!!! We can just buy more Atlantic Seafood, since it IS the world's best & we prefer that over diseased milk from our neighbours! They push us to buy more, we prefer our own clean, pasteurized milk, but, thanks!
I have felt for a long time that reliance on the US was a bad mistake, just as I felt that building a business and then selling it to a larger compeditor was a mistake as well.
I hadn't really thought of it as a comparison. I was more thinking of a situation like a grocer like Longo's including Grocery Gateway, building a respected brand being bought by Empire (Sobeys). Granted they were a southern Ontario brand, but they were well represented in the GTA, but this was not a limited example, every area of Canada has had this happen, and this, to me, is a failure of the competition bureau which should have blocked it.
Yay Canada. We ARE the adult in the room. DJT is unfit to be president, on so many levels.
You said it, Leslie.
Hard to negotiate when the rules keep changing mid-game.
Canada needs calm heads and a long-term plan right now.
You are absolutely right about that, Fred.
Thanks, Fred, for the calm response to the insanity being thrown at us day by day. I’m thankful Canada has chosen a calm and steady hand in Mr Carney. Anyone who has been in a row boat in choppy waters knows slow and steady movements can get the boat righted again, fast and furious sends everyone into the water.
Beautiful analogy, Rebecca.
Calm hands matter in rough water.
Panic tips boats... patience steadies them.
I think a lot of Canadians are relieved to have someone rowing instead of rocking.
Your ‘Gut punch’ says it all.
Thanks, Carole.
Sometimes the whole story comes down to one uncomfortable truth.
We can like America and still recognize that depending too heavily on one customer puts Canada in a vulnerable spot.
Nicely put Fred, it seems that our Politicians need to learn that lesson still. 🇬🇧
Thanks, Penny.
I think a lot of countries are learning the same lesson right now...
good friends matter, but overdependence comes with a price.
Hard lessons tend to arrive with expensive receipts.
I’ve often compared what we’re doing now to evening the playing field: we’re not going to be able to fully abandon the United States but we can make it to where they have to start waiting in the queue like every one else
That’s actually a smart way to frame it, Kyle.
Not abandonment... balance.
We’ll still trade with the U.S., but maybe the days of acting like they’re our only customer are over.
Standing in line with everyone else feels a lot healthier than holding the keys to the whole house.
Exactly! Wait your turn orange greaseball haha
The problem stems from the vision of one person whose legacy he wants to be the person who joined Greenland, Canada and the United States into the largest country on earth. When he goes things will normalize. Hopefully we won't have to wait a long time. 8 months at the most.
Ya unfortunately the only way we can truly get out of this is if Trump kicks the bucket at this point but even then when the dust settles Democrats and Republicans have to stop convincing themselves that things can go back to normal
Ya we’ll continue to trade with the United States but they also have to stop assuming something as comprehensive as CUSMA is even possible now
You may be right, Kyle, that “normal” isn’t coming back in the old form.
I think that’s the bigger lesson here.
Canada can still be a strong trading partner with the U.S. ... but assuming deep long-term agreements are untouchable?
That assumption took a hit.
Which is exactly why diversification matters now.
I hope you’re right about the normalization part, Larry.
But this has also exposed something bigger for Canada... we can’t build our future assuming one person... or one election... fixes everything.
Diversification suddenly looks a lot less optional.
Great issue Fred! I'm with Carney, why sit at a table you haven't been invited to? Personally, I would rather starve than do that!!! We can just buy more Atlantic Seafood, since it IS the world's best & we prefer that over diseased milk from our neighbours! They push us to buy more, we prefer our own clean, pasteurized milk, but, thanks!
Haha Patsy…
“why sit at a table you weren’t invited to?” pretty much sums up the mood of a lot of Canadians right now 😄
And you’re right... funny how quickly we rediscover how good our own products are when someone keeps telling us theirs are better.
Atlantic seafood is a pretty strong consolation prize 🇨🇦🦞
Haha, thanks Fred. I am right in the middle of Atlantic Canadas best food & love every single bite! Canada Strong!!!
I have felt for a long time that reliance on the US was a bad mistake, just as I felt that building a business and then selling it to a larger compeditor was a mistake as well.
Interesting comparison, Keith... and there’s probably a lesson in that.
Whether it’s business or countries, giving too much leverage to one dominant player can come back to bite you.
Partnerships are healthy. Dependence? Not so much.
I hadn't really thought of it as a comparison. I was more thinking of a situation like a grocer like Longo's including Grocery Gateway, building a respected brand being bought by Empire (Sobeys). Granted they were a southern Ontario brand, but they were well represented in the GTA, but this was not a limited example, every area of Canada has had this happen, and this, to me, is a failure of the competition bureau which should have blocked it.