By John Q. Hosedrinker 
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U.S.-Canada trade talks are back underway, but the situation is far from simple. It feels like we’re navigating a minefield, and frankly, the air is thick with frustration. The central issue? The ever-expanding “wish list” of demands coming from the U.S., spearheaded by figures like the former President. It’s a list that goes far beyond the typical trade discussions, reaching into areas like oil and, incredibly, the realm of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
This whole situation feels incredibly odd, doesn’t it? Why this particular fixation on Canada? What does our commitment to DEI have to do with the flow of goods and services? It’s like someone is intentionally making things complicated. As an independent nation, we should be able to chart our own course and make our own choices on social policies. It’s hard not to see this as overreach, and frankly, as a country, we feel that there is no real winning in this scenario. The best we can hope for is to limit the damage, to create some economic breathing room to continue our efforts to diversify trade.
The core problem is the perceived threat. The worry is that we are seen as vulnerable, maybe even weak. That’s a real worry. As a result, we’re likely stuck with a short-term deal, a deal that feels like a band-aid on a much larger problem. The goalposts are constantly moving. It’s hard to see the point of negotiation at all. We should be focusing our energy elsewhere. We should be charging market value for our natural resources and looking for more reliable, predictable partners. This whole episode just highlights that we should have been more independent from the start.
The push for DEI as a trade issue is particularly galling. What does Trump, or anyone else, care about our social policies? It’s a bully tactic, pure and simple. It seems like the whole thing is designed to erode our sovereignty and force us to bend to their will. How can we possibly negotiate with a leader whose administration is marked by concentration camps and a record of bankruptcies? It’s hard not to think about providing a solid middle finger. Frankly, any politician who commits to ending future negotiations with the US gets my vote.
This whole thing is a constant source of stress. The fear of economic collapse, job losses…it’s a lot to bear. The feeling that we might lose our economic footing simply because someone in the US gets a bad idea is unsettling. I, for one, would love to see foreign leaders start asking tough questions about the former President. I would love to see this whole thing end, and as soon as possible.
There’s also the deep-seated distrust. We are being asked to make deals with a leader that cannot be trusted. The man in question does not have integrity, and his words hold no real meaning.
And then there’s the economic reality. The Canadian dollar is actually rising against the U.S. currency, a direct result of the chaos that is occurring. We are also securing more stable markets for our natural resources. The US is only a fraction of the world. If America wants to isolate itself, then fine, let them. The rest of the world can bypass this fortress America.
It’s time for a new strategy. It’s time to stop bending over backward. Let’s focus on our own interests, on strengthening our own economy and finding reliable trade partners.