Only the American voters have the power to stop Trump. The commercial made in Ontario, showing clips of Ronald Reagan against tariffs, is a good example of how to fight Trump by informing the Americans. Trump’s response to add 10% more tariffs on Canada for airing it goes to show not only was the commercial working, but all the progress Canada thought they were making in recent months of trade negotiations was just an illusion that can be taken away on a whim. Even countries that have made trade deals by bribing him with planes and golden crowns to get a reduction on their tariffs are not safe from him reneging if they get out of line. But political interference by foreign countries is a complex matter, and the commercial should have the Ontario reference removed and be given to the American Democrats to air if they wish.

What the Canadian government should do is postpone proposed increases in military spending and return Canada-US border budgets to pre-Trump levels to save money until the damaging economic tariffs are resolved. This is also Canada’s only leverage to put pressure on Trump to negotiate, as it affects his grand vision of a golden security dome over the US.

Companies selling to the US online can make a huge difference by not hiding the effects of tariffs and showing two prices on their websites. A higher one for the US showing the additional cost of the tariff, and the lower regular price for the rest of the world. Instead, some companies are just showing an increased price for everyone, so Americans aren’t seeing the effect of their own tariffs on them. They either keep the profit from non-American customers or use it to subsidize the US tariff customers. These companies should be boycotted by Canadians. Not only is this unethical, but it also supports Trump’s policies by hiding the effects from the American people. How would American Trump supporters feel when they order an item outside the US advertised for $50.00 to the rest of the world, when they have to pay substantially more, knowing the added tariff cost is going to the US government?

Trump has become unhinged since being elected. He no longer represents the majority of “right-wing” political views. He is tarnishing them to fuel his ego and his desperate need to leave a legacy with an agenda rolling out so quickly, it threatens the freedom of Americans and derailing the US and world economies. The longer the “right-wing” American voters keep him in power, the more their valid points of view will also be considered unhinged. It is already happening here in Canada in ads misleadingly comparing conservative leader Pierre Poilievre to Trump.

Canadian’s wanted an “elbows up” approach when it comes to dealing with Trump. Counter-tariffs that punish Canadian’s through higher taxes do little but punish Canadians who, for the most part, already buy Canadian when they can. The only tariffs that work are against companies that leave Canada to set up in the US.

When possible, we need to accurately and responsibly inform the American voters so they understand how some of Trump’s policies are bad for the US, but while still staying in our lane.

Dave Lister

listerlogic.com