Trump Trade Attack on Canada Could Be Trudeau’s “Hail Mary” Election Issue!

At first, it sounded like a joke: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters Wednesday he is “looking forward” to taking on any trade challenges Donald Trump lays down between Canada and the US.

“Looking forward”? (One pundit reacted: “Like ‘looking forward’ to a root canal!” 🙂 )

But maybe Trudeau is on to something.

An Angus Reid poll in September placed Trudeau’s Disapproval rating at 65% among Canadians, his Approval rating stood at only 30%; and, IPSOS placed the PM’s Disapproval rating even higher, 67%, with an Approval score of 33%.

Pierre Poilievre is probably already picking out new furniture and drape colours/pattern for the Prime Minister’s Office.

But not so fast.

What if Trump ignores the USMCA Free Trade Agreement (as he previously ignored NAFTA) and keeps his election promise to impose new and higher tariffs on “ALL GOODS” coming into the US from ANY country … including Canada?

What if Trump tries to tear up the existing Canada-US vehicle manufacturing agreements?

What if Trump puts a high tariff on Canadian pork and beef flowing south and demands Canada abandon its marketing board system and allow American eggs, chicken, milk and dairy products to flow north unhindered?

It would start a trade war with Canada. Our industries, jobs, workers would be under attack.

Trudeau would have no choice but to fight back!

Right?

And as Canadians, wouldn’t it be our national duty to support our country, our Prime Minister and our government in that battle?

“O Canada! We stand on guard for thee…” should mean more than just a song.

Right?

So, what if Trudeau, in the middle of an Canada’s escalating fight against Trump and American trade aggression, sought a public mandate of support for the government’s defence of our own interests?

What a great election issue! The True North’s David versus the Aggressive Americans’ Goliath!

Who would you support? Canada’s stance or the US? Trudeau or Trump?

In fact, Trump’s targeting of Canadian goods and services could be the PM’s “Hail Mary” opportunity to reverse his political fortunes …. just before the clock runs out.

And who would Poilievre support? Surely not Goliath???

Harv Oberfeld

(Lest we forget: this blog posting on Remembrance Day and all the Comments expressed are a testimony to the freedoms we enjoy, thanks to the sacrifices of so many from Canada and other democratic countries’ armed forces over the years, decades … and now too. Remember them … always.)

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US Election Results Foretell Canada’s Next Election Outcome

Democrat strategist James Carville is credited with first saying it in 1992: “It’s the economy, stupid!” Turned out to be a piece of advice that helped Bill Clinton capture the US Presidency.

The maxim still holds true.

Donald Trump re-captured his old job … despite his character/credibility/ethical and even criminal flaws … largely based on the hurt Americans have been suffering under Biden/Democrats when they buy groceries or pump gas or even pay their rent.

The average price of a dozen eggs in the US in 2020, when Biden took over was $1.51; today $3.82; milk was $3.31 a gallon; today $4.02; and lettuce, which averaged $1.63 kg in 2020, now goes for between $1.97 to $3.94.

Hard to buy into a campaign that emphasizes protecting democracy, abortion rights, transgender acceptance, NATO, the Mid East and Ukraine, when you are struggling to feed your kids.

In fact, a CNN exit poll released Wednesday morning showed 67% described the condition of the US economy as “not good or poor”; and, only 32% saw its as “good or excellent”.

Add to that the growing fear of violent crime right across the US; more than 100,000 opioid deaths each year; millions of illegals crowding urban areas (eating up billions of dollars worth of public services, including housing, food support, free education, health care and welfare funds) … and you can see why Donald Trump scored a clear victory.

And there’s a lesson in that for Canada.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government have emphasized the need to fight climate change, addressed First Nations reconciliation, welcomed refugee claimants (72,000 in 2023 alone, plus 469,000 immigrants), and, introduced a national dental care program.

But when eggs cost $4.35 a dozen; milk (4 litres) is $5.95: butter (454 gms) is $6.79 and an iceberg lettuce is $3.99, it gets pretty expensive to feed a family here too!

Not to mention the current median monthly rent for an apartment in Vancouver is $2,829 per month; gasoline is $1.72 a litre, health care is a mess; crime is rampant in too many communities; the Courts are a disgrace; and many Canadians (including Liberals!) feel Trudeau has lost touch with Canadians.

Canada’s next scheduled federal election is October, 2025.

The results of the US vote (the recent BC vote too) convince me more than ever, as I wrote in June ( https://harveyoberfeld.ca/attention-politicians-the-middle-class-is-mad-as-hell-and-not-taking-it-anymore/) , taxpayers want change.

Polls continue to show that for most Canadians, the vote can’t come too soon, and Trudeau/Liberals will go the way of Biden/Harris/Democrats.

Get ready for Pierre Poilievre … despite his flaws.

Harv Oberfeld

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