TORONTO – He – the Donald – confirmed what we all intuitively know to be his guiding principle: ‘better to live one day as a lion than a lifetime as a dog’. We are just “prey” to the USA. Trump is the unmasked face of the USA. There are no borders he will not cross to satisfy his needs. 

One hundred and eighty-five countries (185) were the recipients of the ‘victims rights’ award – named on the list of countries that will have to pay more, if they want to export to the USA. If producers cannot absorb the increased cost, consumers will have to find a way to do so or look for alternatives. It is the ‘way of the world’ – Republican or Democrat.

Either way, Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ signals the start of a re-alignment, voluntary or not, of the means of wealth redistribution world-wide as markets shift to the new conditions. There are no “friends” in that environment only a recognition of, and respect for, the needs and requirements of partners willing to co-operate for reciprocal benefit. That invariably calls for alliances among usually disparate entities.

It may help to claim that ‘we stand united’, provided all the affected partners agree on a common goal. I fear that may be a trifle more challenging in a vast country (market) like Canada, where the various regions (provinces) essentially specialize in the extraction of natural resources most available within their jurisdiction and, just as typically, export primarily to a single market. It makes sense from an “efficiency” point of view.

For example, according to the Government’s Canada Energy Regulator (Report date, 2024/08/21), “crude oil exports …[reached]… 4 million barrels per day…[an amount] valued at $124 billion, representing 16% of Canada’s total export value”, for 2023. The Report points out that 97% of those exports were destined to the USA, and that “Alberta contributed 87.4% of the total volume”. No other country was an export target consuming its product in anything approaching single digits when measured in billions of dollars.

It is understandable if the Provincial premier of Alberta might argue vigorously in the interests of [her] province’s interests; just as it is to see other Premiers argue as vigorously in defense of their own provincial interests when “negotiating” with Trump. What is really “off the table” and what is negotiable? Who speaks for whom? Who speaks for Canada? After all, the country is the ultimate legal/constitutional guarantor of any and all contractual arrangements struct by commercial/industrial sectors in the economy – whatever they may be, even in the totally integrated North American auto and auto parts sector that forms the backbone of our Manufacturing sector and industrial sector, in dollar value, innovations, direct and indirect jobs.

Ontario, home to the largest critical mass of “ingredients” driving that sector of the economy [and consequently its politics] – population and GDP both in excess of 40% of the nation’s total – necessarily must play a leadership role in fashioning the strategy for beating back a self-destructive would-be lion. Otherwise we will all be little more than yapping dogs barking for scraps.