Trudeau has already bent the knee and exposed Canada to a very weak negotiating position with Trump and his absurdity to add a 25% tariff to all Canadian exports. And now, O’Leary is sticking his nose in it.
INTRODUCTION
Imagine this: Your school bully keeps picking on you, taking your lunch money and pushing you around. You try to be nice, hoping they will stop. You give them extra snacks, but they continue to bully you. And then, threatening to charge for the school supplies you need to buy from them!
This is a close analogy to what is happening between Canada and Donald Trump. It isn’t just Trudeau. It is all the entourages that include Trudeau, government bureaucrats and politicians, and Kevin O’Leary (more on this disgusting performance below) travelling to Mar-a-Largo to all bend the knee,
While Donald Trump has never explicitly threatened to annex (take over) Canada, the idea of Canada bending over backward to appease him, especially in light of the 25% tariff imposed on Canadian exports, highlights a fascinating and absurd political situation.
This article will examine some events and explain why all these folks travelling to Mar-a-Largo have us bent over, more than at the knee.
THE MAR=A-LARGO VISITS: BENDING THE KNEE
Mar-a-Lago is Donald Trump's fancy resort in Florida. It has become a destination for people who want to appease the emperor, kowtowing to the bully and kissing his ring.
Imagine your school bully asking you to meet at his house for a "negotiation" about your lunch money. The absurdity, and think of this, Trump has not even called anyone from Canada for an audience. Lapdogs all.
It is not difficult to imagine the images of the visits: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Kevin O'Leary (a Canadian businessman), and a list of bureaucrats all going to Mar-a-Lago to plead with Trump. These visits show Canada’s weakness, accepting Trump's dominance and open us to much more.
WHY IS THIS ODD?
Who knows what Trudeau was thinking, other than possibly he thought his constituents would not see him as weak. It blew up in his face.
Usually, countries negotiate through established diplomatic channels with a plan and objectives. Mexico, Panama, and Greenland have shown us how this is done — and they have matched Trump with their opening positions.
There are experts and a plan of action. You do not do like Canada and show your hand before you are even invited to any negotiations.
All that Canada has done shows that it is giving Trump the advantage.
THE 25% TARIFF HAMMER
A significant factor influencing Canada's actions was the threat of a 25% tariff on Canadian goods exported to the United States. Think of it like the school bully suddenly charging 25% extra for the pencils and notebooks you need to buy from their store.
This threatened tariff has the potential to harm the Canadian economy severely. Many industries, from lumber to dairy, would face significant economic challenges due to increased prices in the US market. However, Trudeau just ran off to beg with the emperor, ignoring the strength that could come from a negotiating position that considers the negative political and financial impact on US residents.
That alone presented an opportunity for Canada to come up with a negotiating position. Like Mexico – there is “tit for tat.” But Trudeau decided to “bend the knee.”
THE BORDER FUNDING BLUNDER
One specific example is the increase in Canadian border funding. Trump made statements about issues with Canada, and in response, Trudeau’s government announced it would spend more money on border security. By taking this action, Trudeau admitted to the bully that we are the problem and gave significantly without getting anything in return.
Trudeau has reacted to Trump's complaints rather than standing his ground on what Canada believes is just and right.
It's like the bully saying, "I don't like your shoes!" You then immediately buy a new pair without addressing the bullying. To add to the analogy, the bully can now charge extra for those new shoes because Trudeau has no agreement with the bully.
SECRET TRIPS AND NEGOTIATIONS
Another unusual event is the reported visit of several Canadian representatives to Mar-a-Lago on December 27, 2024, to meet with a group of Trump’s representatives. The fact that this was not widely known is unsettling, suggesting a lack of transparency – wasn’t transparency one of Trudeau’s past promises?
This raises questions about how decisions were made and what was being discussed without the public knowing. Why the hush of secrecy?
Imagine your classmates secretly meeting the school bully to "negotiate" something without telling you! That would raise questions and concerns, especially if the bully can now already charge extra for your school supplies and shoes.
COMPARING RESPONSES
The comparison with Mexico, Panama, and Greenland's responses highlights their strengths and the weakness of Canada. Will we ever know why Trudeau ran off to bend the knee and kiss the ring. Trump is not even in office, able to do anything before January 20, 2025 – there was time for all of us to think this through and devise a plan to look after our interests.
The contrast emphasizes that those countries have stood their ground, and they now can take action that represents, as Mexico suggests, “tit for tat.” In short, Canada has gained nothing by already giving up part of the farm.
It's like some kids standing up to the bully while others kowtow. The bully will go after the weak, and which country is that? Canada.
TRUMP HAS ALREADY WON
Trudeau, his bureaucrats, politicians, and Mr. O’Leary have all played into Trump's hands. By accommodating his demands, Canada has given Trump a "win," allowing him to look powerful and in charge. This is a dangerous precedent for the future, as Trump now knows he can push us around.
It is like giving in to a bully's demands because you don't want a fight. However, this only encourages the bully to bully more, and now they're also charging extra for everything.
CONCLUSION
The situation between Canada and Trump highlights and contrasts the positions of Mexico, Panama, and Greenland regarding building strength for international negotiations. While we can all agree that the US has significant political and economic might, Mexico, Panama, and Greenland have shown us how to fight. They are standing their ground against a powerful neighbour while also protecting national interests.
This is a valuable lesson for Trudeau and the rest on levelling the playing field of international relations. And Mr. O’Leary, you do not have my vote to stick your nose in it. It’s just what we do not need: a bunch of people running around saying they represent Canada’s interests.
Best wishes.
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