Early on in Donald Trump’s tenure as U.S. president, it appeared that Canadians could look forward to a fairly positive working relationship with the leader of the free world.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had a cordial meeting with him in the White House a few weeks ago. Trump talked about tweaking the Canada-U.S. components of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). It appeared that Mexico would be facing the wrath of Trump in NAFTA, not Canada.
But the last few days have shown that once again, all bets are off when it comes to anyone’s relationship with President Trump.
It started last week when Trump went after the Canadian dairy producers. He also targeted the Canadian lumber industry and the energy sector.
In typical Trump fashion, his statements were loaded with rhetoric, hyperbole and repetition, and lacking on actual specifics for how the U.S. was negatively affected by Canada’s support of these industries.
But when you’re a dairy farmer in Wisconsin (or in any other industry anywhere else in the U.S. for that matter) and the president goes to bat for you, it’s a pretty good feeling, even if the statements are lacking in facts or specifics.
Now Trump has decided to wade back into the softwood lumber war by slapping tariffs on Canadian lumber.
This isn’t the first time that an American president has gone after Canadian softwood lumber. But each time this has happened, the tariffs have been blocked and eventually removed.
Unfortunately, there is significant damage to the Canadian softwood lumber industry each time it is targeted.
You would think that eventually the Americans would focus on more pressing issues, and realize Canada’s measures are not unfair. Or perhaps the narcissist who is running the U.S. thinks he can succeed where others have failed, because he’s Donald Trump and he can do whatever he pleases.
These tariffs will eventually be overturned, just like they have been in the past.
Trump is also renewing his calls for a total renegotiation of NAFTA, or he’ll scrap the document.
We probably shouldn’t be surprised by Trump’s actions. He’s been utterly unpredictable in his first three months as president, and his leadership style seems to lack planning. He just does what he wants, when he wants, even if it’s unfeasible, or if it contradicts his previous statements.
However, Trump has shown an ability to appeal to his base of supporters. His idea of “Make America Great Again” involves the idea that if you’re going to play with the U.S., you’re going to do so under his rules.
Many of the people who voted for him are those who have lost their jobs, or been left behind, in this changing world. They believe he’ll help them get their jobs back, and in some cases, Trump has already moved to help those people.
