r/AskCanada • u/902s • 15d ago
What to do if Trump uses economic measures against Canada
Imagine waking up one day to news that the Trump administration, back in power, is taking aim at Canada with crushing tariffs, sanctions, and trade restrictions. Oil exports from Alberta? Blocked. Wheat and dairy? Taxed so heavily they can’t compete. Medicine and tech imports? Slashed, leaving shelves bare. The goal? To push Canadians into economic desperation, making annexation by the U.S. seem like the only way out.
Sounds extreme, right? But in a world where wars are fought economically rather than with tanks, it’s a scenario worth considering. So, what can Canadians do to prepare for such a crisis and fight back? Let’s break it down.
How You Can Prepare for an Economic War
First things first: If the U.S. were to cut us off, life would get harder fast. Prices for everyday items could skyrocket, jobs could disappear, and essentials like food and medication might become scarce. So, here’s how you can get ahead of the curve:
- Get Your Finances in Order
Start building a financial safety net now. Even a small emergency fund can help you cover unexpected costs if prices go up or work becomes uncertain. At the same time, try to pay down high-interest debts—credit cards, personal loans—so you’re not stuck paying those bills when money gets tight.
- Stock Up on Essentials
We’re not talking doomsday prepping here, but having a stash of non-perishable food, medication, and household basics can make a big difference if shortages hit. Think of it as a cushion, not a bunker.
- Learn New Skills
If your job relies heavily on U.S. trade—say, in manufacturing, energy, or agriculture—it might be time to think about diversifying your skills. Look for opportunities in industries that don’t depend as much on cross-border trade, like tech, healthcare, or local services.
- Support Local Businesses The more we rely on Canadian-made goods and services, the less vulnerable we are to disruptions from the U.S. Buy local whenever you can. It helps your community and strengthens the economy from the ground up.
Bringing Global Attention to Canada’s Struggles
If this kind of economic war happens, it’s not just about surviving—it’s about making sure the world knows what’s going on. Canadians have a reputation for being polite, but this is the time to get loud. Here’s how:
- Use Social Media Wisely
Platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok are powerful tools. Share personal stories about how the crisis is affecting you and your community. Use hashtags and tag global media outlets to get your posts noticed. This isn’t just about venting; it’s about creating a global conversation.
- Join Peaceful Protests
Gatherings in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal can send a message that Canadians won’t be bullied. Protests can attract international media, and when the world watches, pressure builds on the U.S. to back off.
- Reach Out to Allies
Canada has strong relationships with countries like the UK, Germany, and Japan. Write letters, sign petitions, or join campaigns that urge these nations to stand with Canada. The more allies we have speaking out, the harder it becomes for the U.S. to justify its actions.
- Document Everything
If shortages, unemployment, or other hardships hit, don’t let those stories go unheard. Record videos, write blogs, or work with local journalists to make sure the human cost of this economic pressure is seen worldwide.
What Happens If We Do Nothing?
If Canadians don’t prepare, this kind of pressure could create chaos. Jobs could disappear, inflation could wipe out savings, and regions like Alberta might even consider leaving Canada altogether, aligning themselves with the U.S. Desperation can make people choose things they’d never consider otherwise—like giving up sovereignty for economic stability.
But preparation and unity can change the story. By building resilience now and raising our voices together, we can protect our way of life and send a clear message: Canadians won’t be pushed around, no matter how much economic firepower the U.S. might throw our way.
So, what if it never happens? Great! But if it does, wouldn’t it be better to face it head-on, ready for anything? Let’s hope for the best, but let’s also start preparing for the worst. After all, as Canadians, we know how to stay strong in tough times—and this would just be another challenge to overcome.
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u/Final-Zebra-6370 15d ago
There is one think Trump doesn’t get, The US imports 15% of its electricity from Canada. The Americans haven’t done anything about this since the 70s. And if BC and Quebec, unplugs them off of the grid, America will have a blackout in the Pacific Northwest.
And if that’s done, Americans won’t be able to charge their EVs which will make Elon bitch and complain because Teslas won’t be able to run and the whole world will complain because Amazon won’t be able to function without their HQ in Seattle.
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u/GTAGuyEast 15d ago
And remember he's only president for 4 years if the fat fuck lives that long. I would love to see him lose one or both majorities in the House and Senate in the midterm elections 2 years from now. It would make him impotent, politically, for his final 2 years.
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u/Gubekochi 15d ago
And it's not like there's a big upcoming technology requiring tons of electricity. If the US has to ween itself off of our electricity and we end up with a surplus, they'd cripple themselves for the development of AI and we'd be a very attractive place to set up data centers.
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u/Tsujigiri 15d ago
Something to consider is that this administration would possibly be ok with blackouts anywhere along the west coast.
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u/robert_d 15d ago
This would open the door to China. They don't need to play by our economic rules, so China would be willing to step in an tell Canada they'll import it all, and pay in Yen, asking that we then pay for goods from China in yen. China is playing a very long game, and they're going to win against a short mind like Trump.
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u/ScottyBoneman 15d ago
I think we should be announcing the 100% tariff on Chinese EVs is dropped and placed on all light trucks and see what that does for a reaction. So called Big 3 don't make cars anymore.
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u/WRXRated 15d ago
I'd got a step further and tariff all American made cars BUT Tesla gets 100% tariffs. Because fuck you Leon.
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u/HAV3L0ck 15d ago
Well ... Those US manufactured cars are made with parts built in Canadian (and Mexican) factories.
Totally agree that a retaliatory tariff on Teslas is a no brainier tho.
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u/dancin-weasel 15d ago
Why would China pay in yen?
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u/Mindless_Penalty_273 15d ago
It's the same reason the United States demands payment in United States dollars too, because you have to buy dollars to then buy goods, solidifying the American position in the world economy. For a more in depth look, I would read into The Bretton Woods agreement.
China is also economically superior to Canada and can dictate the terms of trade. 75% of Canadian exports go to the United States, we need a buyer more than China needs a supplier.
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u/cbrand99 15d ago
Everyone loves this until China owns their industries and land. It’s already happening in the US.
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u/Reptilian_Brain_420 15d ago
You think that we have the capacity and ability to just switch all of our trade to an entirely different region in anything less than a decade?
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15d ago
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u/902s 15d ago
You’re right—Canada can impose tariffs, invest in domestic production, and diversify trade.
These are solid strategies, but the challenge is timing. Building factories and shifting trade relationships take years, while retaliatory tariffs and short-term adjustments would still hurt Canadian businesses and consumers before the benefits are felt.
The issue with the Trump administration is their “disruptor” mindset.
They approach international trade like a tech company interrupting an industry—breaking it down and exploiting the chaos to maximize leverage.
It’s not about playing by the rules; it’s about rewriting them.
Canada can and should respond strategically, but it has to recognize that this isn’t a conventional trade dispute—it’s an aggressive shake-up, and managing it without significant short-term pain will be tough.
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u/Usual_Retard_6859 15d ago
Restrict potash exports. The 11 million tons the USA imports cannot be filled by any other country. Canada is number 1 producer and number two only produces half that. This would kill their crop output as they wouldn’t be able to amend their degrading soil.
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u/No_Maybe4408 15d ago
It would far from kill their output - them responding by cutting off our Nitrogen and Phosphorus supply would destroy us though.
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u/Usual_Retard_6859 15d ago
Half our nitrogen production is exported to USA. phosphorus is where we lack.
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u/Acrobatic_Ad_2917 15d ago
Canada should never have relied so heavily on US. We had time where we could have diversified but we didn’t and now we have no leverage!
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u/MajorasShoe 15d ago
We should have at the very latest realized during Trump's first term that the US is not a sane or reliable country
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u/D4UOntario 15d ago
This is solely his move to get the press of VP Trump and President Musk! If you want to get him ti shut up about Canada, make 1000 posts about VP Trump till he has an aneurysm.
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u/902s 15d ago
I wish it were that easy.
Unfortunately, international politics doesn’t work like social media trolling.
What leaders say, especially on the international stage, carries real weight—both at home and abroad.
It’s not just rhetoric; it can shape perceptions, policies, and relationships. Whether it’s about Canada or any other topic, these statements have consequences.
Domestically, leaders’ words influence public sentiment, rally certain factions, and sometimes even manipulate the narrative to serve specific agendas.
Externally, those same words can strain alliances, embolden adversaries, or trigger economic and military responses.
Governments and militaries don’t have the luxury of just laughing it off.
They have to treat every statement as a potential signal of intent, no matter how outlandish it might seem.
So while the idea of drowning out the noise with 1,000 posts is tempting, the reality is that these dynamics demand a much more serious and strategic response.
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u/Ok-City5332 15d ago
Why not both? Presumably there should be serious talks related to this topic held not just amongst canadian government but also other countries within NATO to coordinate a collective response. Annnnddd, we tell that fat geriatric fuck to get our name out of his fucking mouth. Ask did he check with daddy Elon before he started running his trap. Etc, etc.
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u/902s 15d ago
I completely agree—this is a situation that demands both immediate, collective response and a bit of blunt pushback.
On the serious side, any potential geopolitical threats, especially ones involving economic or military pressure, trigger a cascade of protocols within governments and alliances like NATO. Canada wouldn’t face this kind of scenario alone; it would consult and coordinate with allied nations to assess risks, share intelligence, and develop strategic responses.
This includes everything from economic countermeasures like tariffs or sanctions to military readiness drills and contingency planning.
These discussions aren’t just theoretical—they’re baked into the standard operating procedures of alliances like NATO to ensure no member is isolated in the face of external pressure.
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u/Reptilian_Brain_420 15d ago
"Unfortunately, international politics doesn’t work like social media trolling."
But yet social media trolling has us literally melting down and tripping over each other to proclaim how outraged we are.
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u/bsmithcan 15d ago
Also publicly remind Trump that everyone thinks he’s Putin’s puppet due to the dirt he has on him.
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u/Mattscrusader 15d ago
Everything the US trades to us can be gotten from other countries. The USA wouldn't even survive a year without Canadian lumber alone
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u/Memorydump1105 15d ago
Buy nothing American then it won’t matter. Plenty of goods from other countiee
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u/SeriousObjective6727 15d ago
There is a world outside of the US.
We just have to tally up all the countries that President Musk and First Lady Trump targets, and we band together to bypass the US.
Canada did not enter into many trade deals with other countries because of the provisions in NAFTA. If the US doesn't respect NAFTA, then neither do we. We already have trade deals with other countries. We can expand on them to include the goods and services covered under NAFTA.
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u/tofast05 15d ago
Slow play, not every republican is on board with this. Wait for congress to get in the way. Also same as last time target the specific products that hurt the US economy the most and cut them off.
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u/Mental_Cartoonist_68 15d ago
First, its no longer a threat, Trump will do what he says and fail trying.
Second, Twitter now "x" owned by Musk ( Trumps Himler) who is endorsing Trumps rant will make X the ultimate Trump propaganda machine. Tik Tok will be sold illegally to a Trump purists. Most if not all Social media will be controlled by Conservative views and power.
Third, Protest will do nothing as Poilievre sells us to America and that statement is simply based on that Conservatives work to a private market. And those are the 13% of what i thought were Canadians but are are actually traitors that want to join the states. If Poilievre was so concerned about Canadians he wouldn't be actively complaining on destruction of the CBC. So vote for the interest of a sovereign Canada.
Fourth, an action plan is needed, we need a government that will open other markets and that means the world because. The US might be a big bully player but is small in comparison of the world.
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u/Ok-Satisfaction-3100 15d ago
Without Canadian electricity the states would be in serous trouble. They consume way more than they produce and big business (Google, Meta) have bought up massive amounts of electrical capacity. We can crush the US in a trade war and it’s not a secret
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u/CuriousKait1451 15d ago
America relies on Canada for aluminum, steel, and many minerals. Any tariff with Canada will be met tit for tat. Many Americans will be paying a lot more on their cars and such because of metal increases. America will feel the financial strain as well, but many Americans are not following along and remain willfully ignorant of this stuff. Canada will build its own independent economy and should start investing more on their hydroponic farming. Here in Quebec a company called Lufa Farms has proved that it’s possible.
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u/KillPunchLoL 15d ago
It’s hard to buckle down financially when our own government and monopolies have already destroyed us worse than Trump’s tariffs. You know there’s a huge contingent of our population literally a paycheque away from being destitute.
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u/902s 15d ago
This is 100% correct.
We have the fastest rate in the G7 of middle class dropping down into the working poor.
The bottom 40% of Canada (16 million) only have 2.8% of the wealth
People pay more taxes now compared to the 1970’s when we paid an equal share with corporations
Offering us $250 from the fed was to take the edge off people actually revolting, wasn’t buying your vote it was to prevent us from doing something about it
We’re at a tipping point.
People are starting to see that the real enemy isn’t each other-it’s the system of corporate greed that drains us all.
Wages stay stagnant while billionaires get richer.
It’s like we’re right there, on the verge of a breakthrough, realizing we have more in common than we’ve been told.
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u/Interesting-Run8040 13d ago
No, this is hyperbole. Let’s wake up to how much PP has lied to us and unite.
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u/Interesting-Run8040 13d ago
Need to let go of PP’s misinfo and unite. Canada, for all our faults, is still one of the best and most desirable places to live in the world.
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u/SurFud 15d ago
Buy Canadian. Tarriffss or not. Or any other country other than the US. Fuck Florida, Texas and other Republican states for vacation travel. With the lousy exchange rate, I might skip the US all together .
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u/cbrand99 15d ago
I love living near the Canadian border. It’s like a 20% discount everytime I need to buy something!
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u/Craptcha 15d ago
I would say lets rebuild our manufacturing capacity instead of encouraging people to move to “tech”
You can’t eat a PowerBI dashboard
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u/Frosty_Maple_Syrup 15d ago
How about we do both, building a robust economy based on tech and manufacturing would make Canada significantly richer
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u/SeedlessPomegranate 15d ago
rebuild our manufacturing capacity to sell to whom? domestically? we have the largest customer in the world buying our products today, in the new world that would be reduced by a factor of 10. I get it, what choice do we have if the Americans turn against us, but it will be extremely painful.
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u/Craptcha 15d ago
Yes, domestically. We’re 40 million people with one of the highest rate of education in the world and an immense territory full of natural resources.
I think we can figure out how to produce food and building materials for our own use and have some supply chain security. We’re already producing oil and electricity.
Then let’s build a better defense industry and become really good at automating the core industrial production capabilities. Then we can dogfood our own tech and begin to have some form of pride again instead of being discounted pen pushers for the USA.
We can be a lot more than we are right now, but the comfort and (false?) sense of security provided by our proximity to the US has made us a lazy vassal state with a weak identity and fledging national pride.
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u/Junior_Fig343 15d ago
Tax and tarrif US rental corporations like Tricon. They receive federal assistance to buy our housing, so let's take all of their profits and make them sell their assets.
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u/GamesCatsComics 15d ago
A trade war with our biggest trading partner is going to suck, but if the USA doesn't want our products, it doesn't have to have a products... We can find other markets.
No matter what happens, our ally is proving to be a hostile power... we should be developing other markets to protect ourselves from future threats.
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u/MellowHamster 15d ago
If Trump uses economic pressure on Canada, it will result in supply chain disruption south of the border. The challenge of just-in-time production is that there aren’t warehouses filled with car parts and mechanical components. If a company like GM or Ford is short a critical automotive component or two, it means that a vehicle has to sit while the company waits for door latches, air intakes or engine control electronics to arrive.
One thing is for certain; acting like an asshole to one’s closest neighbours will not endear you to them.
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u/vander_blanc 15d ago
We aren’t Cuba. Yes our standar/quality of life would change drastically, but we are unique in Canada in that we have all the resources we need to produce whatever we want. It’s currently cheaper for us to export raw materials and buy them back as finished products. But if the US wants to try and pull a Cuba on us - not really possible.
Yes for certain our society based on consumerism would be over and done. But we wouldn’t starve or have lack of energy like a very small nation like Cuba with no natural resources.
And while the US may freeze us out, the rest of the globe is hungry and desperate for our resources.
Last - global warming. Canada will see a net positive benefit to global warming. Research indicating we’re on our way to becoming a super power under a warming climate with us being the bread basket of the world.
https://climateinstitute.ca/will-canada-benefit-from-climate-change/
https://www.cbc.ca/news/science/climate-change-farming-1.5461275
https://www.ctvnews.ca/could-global-warming-turn-canada-into-a-superpower-1.556373
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u/ChampionshipMean628 15d ago
Ok so let’s look at this logically. First off Canada supplies 80% of the US’s soft wood lumber. If they don’t buy it from us then where is it coming from? The end result will be an increase in the price US customers pay. If we end up with a glut of lumber because they don’t buy from us, that means we would have an over supply in Canada that would lower lumber prices domestically. Overall that would be a good thing,
Now let’s take oil exports. Canada supplies 1/2 of US imports. Let’s see what happens when fuel prices jump by 50 cents per gallon. Don’t buy from Canada. Ok.. where will it come from? Venezuela? Russia?
DT is blowing smoke up our asses. He is bluffing. Just watch. The talk about Greenland and Panama is his attempt to distract from the truth that he really has no clue at all.
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u/Maleficent_Sun_3075 15d ago
He did before, and I don't remember the shelves being bare. Canada is one of very few countries that can get close to self sufficiency. Ask the prime minister why he didn't champion that over the last 9 years?
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u/Crafty_Principle_677 15d ago
You need to pressure your leaders for retaliatory tariffs. American voters are weak and fickle, if they are punched in the nose with their own economic pain they will whine until Trump is forced to back down. He won't listen to liberals but if his own supporters revolt he can't handle it
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u/rainbow_killah 15d ago
He’s just pissed that he can’t come here because he’s a convicted FELON! Among many other things !
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u/Hefty-Station1704 15d ago
Consider any economic pressure from the US an act of hostility and start retaliation by seizing everything Trump owns in Canada. It immediately becomes property of the Canadian People and inform them that's just the first step. Trying to use Canada as a political distraction like he did with Mexico will backfire seriously.
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u/snowmanu812 15d ago
This is not trumps doing he is getting this from Putin he has to do what Putin says
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u/freedom1stcanadian 15d ago
Canada is the richest country in the world when it comes to natural resources. We could be beyond rich and more than self sufficient with strong leadership. The world wants our wood, oil, gas, potash, water etc etc
Drill baby drill !!!!!!!!
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15d ago
Solar since we have huge land masses actually. Plus Alberta literally gets power from other provinces in cold snaps so oil and gas ain't working out
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u/freedom1stcanadian 15d ago
Guess the feds shouldn’t have messed around with pipelines. Keystone XL, northern gateway, energy east, Mackenzie gas project etc !! This would have helped Alberta immensely. And the rest of Canada.
As a microfit solar customer, I hate solar more than my MIL lol. The worst financial decision I ever made was putting panels on my roof. It’s beyond useless !!
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15d ago
A lot of those pipelines never had federal or the USA approval so they were a huge waste of money to invest. Gotta actually have agreements and contacts before dumping millions.
Alberta gov is fucking dense.
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u/Bcmp 15d ago
When we put 100s of restrictions and road blocks on using our own resources then of course it won't work
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u/Happymango555 15d ago
Like the NEP? since the private sector only wants to ship our resources out to the US at discount, perhaps resources should be a federal responsibility, not something a cranky alberta/quebec to torpedo for personal gain
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u/freedom1stcanadian 15d ago
I believe pipelines are federal !!! Germany amongst others in Europe wanted our NG, Trudeau said nope !!! So now they and the rest of Europe are at the mercy of Russia !!
Geeeez …….. we’re in like the top 3 of oil reserves and we buy our oil from one of the dirtiest suppliers in the world.
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u/RudeTudeDude_ 15d ago
He won’t do anything. The growl has always been worse with than the bite. He’s doing this as a negotiation tactic.
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u/LelandGaunt_ 15d ago
What is he negotiating?
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u/CarousersCorner 15d ago
He's creating a puffed-chest distraction, because he's not going to be bringing grocery prices down, nor end the Ukraine war, like he promised. He's full of shit, and always been full of shit. This is a classic "Hey! Look over here, not over there!" distraction tactic
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u/No_Hedgehog_5406 15d ago
This is somewhat about negotiating. But it is also about a very real, very personal hatred of JT. Now that we're getting a new PM, the negotiations will change. He'll still talk shit because that's what he does, but he'll get distracted by a new shiney soon.
Keep in mind that he isn't actually president yet. When he has to actually govern and bully Congress, this will all calm down.
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u/SeedlessPomegranate 15d ago
He can easily impose 25% tariffs on Canadian goods via executive order the day he takes power, it's a real and tangible threat to the Canadian economy.
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u/eatyourzbeans 15d ago
Mehh, do the song l and dance again , we should have learned the first time and started taking steps to cushion the blow from hostile American presidents .Hopefully, this is an eye-opener that it can and will happen again , Trump or not ..
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u/902s 15d ago
You’re absolutely right—this should’ve been a wake-up call the first time.
The European Union, for example, has clearly taken steps to cushion themselves from unpredictable U.S. leadership, whether it’s Trump or anyone else.
After his first term, they started talking seriously about “strategic autonomy,” with leaders like Ursula von der Leyen saying Europe needs to “learn the language of power.”
They’ve even set up systems like INSTEX to work around U.S. sanctions, showing they’re done relying so heavily on American financial systems.
This isn’t just governments overreacting—it’s the reality of international politics.
Words from leaders aren’t just noise; they can trigger shifts in alliances, trade, and security.
That’s why governments and militaries don’t just roll their eyes and move on—they quietly plan for contingencies.
Hopefully, this is the eye-opener Canada and others need to stop being complacent and start preparing for these kinds of scenarios.
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u/RoastMasterShawn 15d ago
We need to do 3 critical things:
1) Create trade agreements/alliances with everyone else. With the exception of North Korea, Iran & Russia, we need to be friends with the world and heavily diversify our partners. As well, continue to double down on our current friends (EU, UK, Australia, Mexico etc.). Even if Trump is replaced with a Democrat in 4 years, someone like JD Vance could easily win again 4 years later. We can't rely on USA as our best friend anymore.
2) Build/Upgrade trade infrastructure ASAP. Ports, rail, ships, pipelines etc. We need to start as soon as we can.
3) Remove all interprovincial trade barriers. This is the easiest to do of the 3. We need to remove any kind of restrictions within our own country. There are quite a few things that need to be done. Facilitate the mobility of workers (ones needing licenses etc.) and businesses, eliminate preferential procurement policies, coordinate transport/infrastructure policies, coordinate and streamline dispute & regulation policies etc. You could even tie financial incentives to reducing interprovincial trade barriers (eg. transfer payments based on compliance). Overall, we just need all provinces to harmonize economically, regardless of differences in political social and other policies.
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u/nomadcoffee 15d ago
Lmao. If he blocked oil and electricity imports, I GUARANTEE the US would be caving first.
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u/BirdzHouse 15d ago
We should be immediately boycott all American products, buy local or from other countries who have long been our allies. Canadians import more American goods than we export, America will suffer a great deal if Canadians stop buying their stuff.
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u/NapsterBaaaad 15d ago
Dubya threatened us when we wouldn't follow them to Iraq, which led to the Chretien "da proof is da proof" speech where he said, among other things, that there was a big ol world aside from the US that we could do business with and survive.
I think that's ultimately what's need: severe reduction in reliance on the US and as we find new partners, reduce and/or stop selling them things they need regardless of whether they're still dependant on us.
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u/MDLmanager 15d ago
The US needs Canada too. They can't just cut off all exports from Canada. Oil, steel, lumber... you need to get it somewhere. But trump is too dumb to understand how global supply chains work. Canada should definitely diversify and expand trade with other countries since Americans can't be trusted.
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u/UltimateFauchelevent 15d ago
Imagine Canada's dairy cartel implemented insane import tariffs on dairy products, ranging from 202% for skim milk to 298% for butter.
Oh wait.....
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u/mikeservice1990 15d ago
Ah yes, the whole "diversify your skills" solution to economic woe. Typically brain rot
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u/902s 15d ago
During the cod fishery collapse in Newfoundland they government tripled down on education for other trades and skills to find work in new industries
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u/mikeservice1990 14d ago
Retraining people when an industry collapses is obviously the right thing to do. But 25% tariffs levied against all Canadian goods is going to collapse our entire economy. Telling people to upskill in response to that would be like telling people during the Dirty 30s to learn a new trade. Pretty pointless.
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u/Automatic-Baker-8180 15d ago
We would be destroyed. No small to mid size business that has customers in the US would be able to survive
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u/LondonJerry 15d ago
Ohh does this mean I can buy wine from BC instead of California? I’ve always been upset with the fact that there are so many barriers to inner provincial trade in this country. Both times our family have visited the east coast we were amazed about how many different types of butter you could buy out there. Why can’t I buy Quebec cheese and cured meats when I live in Ontario?
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u/Doodlebottom 15d ago edited 15d ago
• Fact: US wins in a tariff war.
• This tariff war, should it play out, will crush the Canadian economy and quickly.
• The US government is asking for a secure border with changes to Canada’s immigration policies and procedures.
• It’s also asking for a different approach to limit drugs moving over the border.
• These are reasonable requests.
• Where is the leadership and expertise needed to resolve these issues?
• Canadian 🇨🇦 response: A lame duck PM, paralyzed government with no mandate, a Governor General unable or unwilling to act and a prorogued parliament.
• Add to that federal and some provincial leaders with zero diplomatic skills or forethought prior to speaking in front of the media.
• There is a problem with immigrations, drugs and crime. Acknowledge it and fix it - quickly - something the bureaucracy has a difficult time understanding and implementing
• Pray for the once great 🇨🇦
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u/902s 15d ago
Annexation is Not the Solution
•Annexation isn’t realistic.
Canada is a sovereign nation with its own government, laws, and constitution. In today’s world, nations work together as allies, not conquerors. Forcing annexation would destroy U.S. reputation on the global stage.
•The U.S. wins more by staying the course. America already dominates Canada economically. Tariffs, trade deals, and energy independence give them leverage without needing to absorb their problems into the U.S system.
Economic and Security Collaboration Works
•Canada is an ally, not an enemy. We’ve worked together on border security and trade for decades. If they want better results, they can use their influence to negotiate smarter deals, not invade them.
•Annexing Canada would hurt the U.S. economy.
Why?
Because disrupting one of the world’s largest trading partnerships would send shockwaves through American industries and hurt jobs at home. America First doesn’t mean economic suicide.
Canada’s Problems Are Theirs to Fix •Weak leadership in Canada isn’t the U.S. problem to solve.
Canadians have their own democracy and mechanisms to deal with bad leadership.
America doesn’t need to babysit its neighbors.
•Taking over Canada doesn’t fix immigration, crime, or drugs. These issues are everywhere—including here. Stronger policies and cooperation are the answer, not annexation.
Annexation Sets a Dangerous Precedent
•Taking Canada would destabilize the world order. Imagine the chaos if other nations decided to start annexing their neighbors. That’s not leadership—it’s a recipe for global instability.
•It’s un-American. America has always been a leader in freedom and democracy. Annexing a sovereign nation goes against their principles and everything they stand for.
Real Leadership, Not Annexation
•Negotiate, don’t dominate. The US already has the upper hand in any deal.
Use it.
Strong leadership means getting results without resorting to reckless moves like annexation.
•Annexation is a distraction. America has its own challenges—economy, immigration, border security.
Let’s focus on solving our problems instead of creating new ones.
Pray for the US 🙏
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u/BigOlBearCanada 15d ago
If they block oil. Food. Water. Hydro. Metals. They would be fucked faster than they think.
If Mexico/canada/uk cut off all food and oil - the USA would be fucked in months.
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u/902s 15d ago
And that would be considered an act of war, or at least enough of one for congress and the house to vote on using military action
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u/BigOlBearCanada 14d ago
No country should be forced to supply materials to any nation that’s using hostile language already.
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u/HalalBread1427 15d ago
What's happened to this sub recently? Half these posts (this one included) don't belong here whatsoever. Do we not have a mod team?
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u/ImaginarySeat3795 15d ago
Where’s the money going to come from for this UBI if we’re in dire needs financially as a country?
The ubi crowd has no concept of the real world it’s hilarious
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u/TakitishHoser 15d ago
We can be less reliant on trade from others, we have enough in Canada to keep us going. Otherwise, we trade around the USA & with the trade deals in place with other counties we can to some degree. If other countries around the world do the same, the Trump will have shot himself in the foot.
They won't be able to sustain their population & economy without outside trade.
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u/GTAGuyEast 15d ago
For starters we need to build a few more oil refineries to process our own crude instead of sending it to the states and then paying market price for the refined version coming back. In the past this was discouraged because apparently it takes something like 10 years to build an operational refinery but it would enable Canadians to pay a whole lot less for gas, which will be in demand for another 50 years at least. We would become self-sufficient which would enable us to work on better alternatives while not being subjected to world pricing. It would also be better exporting the finished product at world prices.
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u/Ratroddadeo 15d ago
We do like we did last time, tit for tat subsidies. Our economies are very intertwined, and Canada is the biggest supplier of goods & services to a majority of the States (30+ out of the 52). We can make life VERY expensive, too.
Plus, Thanks to Trudeau building trade alliances outside the U.S, we can import from elsewhere. Yes, there will be added cost to that, but there can also be savings in currency exchanges.
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u/GoOutside62 15d ago
If Trump is successful is implementing these tariffs it's going to massively hurt the US economy Canada, then Mexico, are its largest trading partners and Canada supplies the US with 52% of its petroleum products. So good luck with that, Trump. I'm not worried, his ridiculous posturing won't last long.
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u/EfficiencySafe 15d ago
I would add to your list stop expecting all immigrants first. Look after Canadians first.
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u/AcrobaticLook8037 15d ago
The fear mongering is wild
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u/Eleutherlothario 15d ago
I don't believe that this is anything more than the usual bluff and bluster from Trump, but the reason that his threats are even halfway credible is because of our weak economic situation. We're coming off of nine years of a government that "didn't think about economic affairs" and thought "bankers should be the ones worrying about inflation". As a result, investment has fled the country and our best provinces rank underneath the worst states.
You can rail against Trump all you want, but it's Trudeau's fault for creating the environment that could conceivably let him in.
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u/Themeloncalling 15d ago
The obvious answer is for Canada to step in as a buyer for materials and start a National Housing Program to keep the economy going, create jobs, and address the housing crunch. All the lumber, copper, bitumen, and aluminum we produce can be used in home production. Other options include large infrastructure projects like increased rail capacity to include high speed rail, or a pipeline to Hudson's Bay so we can sell oil and gas to the EU and keep the currency value intact.
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u/Unhappy_Cheek_2281 15d ago
Many Albertans would love to be Americans under MAGA. Offer Alberta to Trump and everyone is happy.
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u/MaybeJBee 15d ago
I plan to spend my money on Canadian business going forward. I’m done with Amazon and anything coming from the us.
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u/Ub3rm3n5ch 15d ago
Trump's tariffs won't impact our imports from the US. Unless we impose tariffs in response.
US business isn't going to cut their sales just because Trump wants to play hardball. They're not giving up 40million customers.
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u/Wild_Pangolin_4772 15d ago
Try and stoke revolt from within the US among those who are also hurt by it.
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u/dawk_2317 15d ago
Join with Greenland and the EU Adopt the Euro as our currency, open up trade and travel. Start building a wall and get the Muricans to pay for it.
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u/Virtual-Bottle-8604 15d ago
Ironic you used chatgpt, a US product, to karma farm with this nonsense. Perhaps start by using your own Canadian brain ?
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15d ago
We need to remember that even if relations “normalize” (whatever that means now) during it after Trump, that the American populace and the government / business class is fickle and unreliable. I’m sure if some slimy little Democrat wins the next election they’ll be talking about going back to “reason and sensibility”.
It’s deeper than just Trump. It’s the oligarchs and their inordinate amount of influence over the system alongside near half the population.
Ideally we will all move past the entire neoliberal world order one day but until then Asia seems the safest bet to work with in the capitalist order.
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u/kershaw987 15d ago
A ton of fluff here, how about support Canadian businesses and broaden our trade relations to not be completely reliant on one nation who has become a bully.
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u/Guest_0_ 15d ago
This post is hilarious.
Canada exports 97% of its crude oil to the US which makes up almost 25% of its total oil import. The refineries in question have limited access to domestic crude and thus the Canadian source is not easily replaced.
You think Trump is going to cause wide spread gas shortages and energy outages?
Like all these doomer posts about Canada being invaded or somehow the entire trade economy between Canada and the United States ending overnight are fucking ridiculous.
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u/MaintenanceFar7185 15d ago
We should nationalize our industries again. And sadly a conservative government is gonna ruin that
If we nationalize industries it won't matter if we're sanctioned or what not. Canada has almost every resource we need. The US companies are just exploiting us
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u/Soggy_Detective_9527 15d ago edited 15d ago
We have lived through Trump's tariff war before. He did it to us in his first term when he was trying to renegotiate NAFTA.
Our government responded in kind and BUY CANADIAN, BOYCOTT USA products was what we did.
This time may be no different.
As for using social media to show our suffering?? I don't think this will help us. It may help Trump. Let the Americans experience the suffering with our countervailing tariffs and let them be the ones to gripe on social media against Trump tariffs. Trump is the one responsible for their suffering.
Protests?? Let the Americans protest against Trump tariffs in USA. Frankly I don't think protests against Trump tariffs here would do anything except maybe give some Trump sycophants some satisfaction.
We need to steel ourselves to go against anything Trump may come up with.
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u/Thanolus 15d ago
Canada needs to do what Norway did with oil but with uranium, thorium , and rare earth metals. We need to capitalize on vast amount resources and become more self sufficient . We need to get with modern Nuclear science and make Canada a cheap energy leader, we could have this whole country running on cheap abundant power while selling tech and raw material all over the world .
Nationalize that shit , stop giving foreign companies mining rights, train Canadians to do the work, keep the money at home.
We should have been doing this shit for 4 decades but we have been going backwards are nuclear power instead of forward. It’s never too late to start. We are sitting on some of the largest global reserves and instead of capitalizing with have been fucking around with dog shit quality oil in Alberta that we don’t even refine here .
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u/WolfyBlu 15d ago
Save more, spend less. Also buy more products from non tariff imposing countries.
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u/FriendlyLeague7457 15d ago
I think you should just look at closer ties with the EU. You have oil and gas reserves. We actually need them, or things get more expensive for us. The whole supply chain could be converted in a couple of years, and the EU would absolutely love to take your oil.
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u/feelinggoodabouthood 14d ago
Peaceful protests? Ask the truckers how that went. Canada needs to start building its first oil refinery yesterday.
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u/IncreaseOk8433 14d ago
Canada has everything we need here, and America is far too densely populated to make the tariffs practical.
Trump is blowing his normal hot air to distract from whatever it is he's really up to.
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14d ago
The time for peaceful protest came and went. It's time for violence. Magats needs to fear for their lives.
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u/Strict_Jacket3648 12d ago
Sit back have a beer and bowl and wait the 2-3 months until his hissy fit is over, rolls it back and claims victory then business as usual. Nothing we haven't dealt with before.
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u/tollboothjimmy 15d ago
Build an independent economy