CAN-USA 2025 Tariff Strife (split from various pol threads)

[lenaitch]

Where that pipe should come from is tariff money. Every single penny should be invested into massive infrastructure projects to keep our industries alive. Especially critical ones like steel and aluminium milling.

Last I looked, the Bank of Canada doesn't make pipe. I don't know the industry but I'm not sure we have a domestic large diameter pipe manufacturing capability. Even if we do, projects of this scale, such as building long distance pipelines and ports, have a long lead time for surveying, engineering, land acquisition, construction and on and on. Even if every government regulation was dropped tomorrow and we were able to bulldoze through everyone's backyard with impunity, they still couldn't be built fast enough to solve our current problems.

I'm not saying they are necessarily a bad idea from a national interest perspective, quite the opposite.

How's the CSC construction coming along? Can we have one in the water next year?

 

[Kirkhill]

Last I looked, the Bank of Canada doesn't make pipe. I don't know the industry but I'm not sure we have a domestic large diameter pipe manufacturing capability. Even if we do, projects of this scale, such as building long distance pipelines and ports, have a long lead time for surveying, engineering, land acquisition, construction and on and on. Even if every government regulation was dropped tomorrow and we were able to bulldoze through everyone's backyard with impunity, they still couldn't be built fast enough to solve our current problems.

I'm not saying they are necessarily a bad idea from a national interest perspective, quite the opposite.

How's the CSC construction coming along? Can we have one in the water next year?

In principle I agree. There is no short term cure.

But .

The problem is an enduring one and the sooner we get started on a new path the better.

We are going to develop a whole new economy. One that looks a lot like that pre 1980.

 

[PrairieFella]

Last I looked, the Bank of Canada doesn't make pipe. I don't know the industry but I'm not sure we have a domestic large diameter pipe manufacturing capability. Even if we do, projects of this scale, such as building long distance pipelines and ports, have a long lead time for surveying, engineering, land acquisition, construction and on and on. Even if every government regulation was dropped tomorrow and we were able to bulldoze through everyone's backyard with impunity, they still couldn't be built fast enough to solve our current problems.

I'm not saying they are necessarily a bad idea from a national interest perspective, quite the opposite.

How's the CSC construction coming along? Can we have one in the water next year?

The best time to plant a tree was ten years ago. The second best time is right now. We have an opportunity to begin a series of national mega-projects, never again will Canada be so united and craving economic nationalism. Strike while the iron is hot so to speak.

 

[daftandbarmy]

Meanwhile, BC responds with a record deficit projection on the day the tariffs are announced...

B.C. budget brings record deficit, billions in trade-war contingencies

Finance Minister Brenda Bailey says “the impact will be severe” but it’s not the time to retreat by cutting spending on public services.

Despite the peril posed by the trade war, Bailey said core services would not be cut, even if there were no "splashy" expenditures this year.

The budget includes $4.2 billion over three years to increase capacity in the health system, and a further $15.5 billion for capital investments in hospitals and other facilities over the same period.

“We will manage our finances carefully so we can continue our work to improve health care, education and other core services, without adding fees or hiking costs,” she said.

The budget predicts a record deficit of about $10.9 billion in the next fiscal year starting April 1, up from a revised forecast of $9.1 billion this year.

B.C. budget brings record deficit, billions in trade-war contingencies - Victoria Times Colonist

 

[Furniture]

Actually it's really populist bullshit. Like beer in corner stores.

So saving people money is "populist bullshit" unless it's a tax cut, because that's a "true conservative" move? Also, how is removing puritanical rules regarding alcohol sales "populist bullshit"?

 

[PrairieFella]

So saving people money is "populist bullshit" unless it's a tax cut, because that's a "true conservative" move? Also, how is removing puritanical rules regarding alcohol sales "populist bullshit"?

I don't think people actually know what "conservative" means. Are we talking a modern Tory? A MAGA acolyte? Burkean conservative? All three have almost nothing in common but are labelled the same way. Conservative is rapidly becoming an unuseful label.

 

[IKnowNothing]

So saving people money is "populist bullshit" unless it's a tax cut, because that's a "true conservative" move? Also, how is removing puritanical rules regarding alcohol sales "populist bullshit"?

Breaking an artificial monopoly and creating a free-er market was/is was a principled conservative move. Spending billions in tax payer money to break contracts and do it early....

 

[Remius]

So saving people money is "populist bullshit" unless it's a tax cut, because that's a "true conservative" move? Also, how is removing puritanical rules regarding alcohol sales "populist bullshit"?

Well if you think about when I registered my car I paid for it. Anyone else did not. Now the taxpayer is paying to have my car registered. Hardly conservative in that sense.

 

[Underway]

So saving people money is "populist bullshit" unless it's a tax cut, because that's a "true conservative" move? Also, how is removing puritanical rules regarding alcohol sales "populist bullshit"?

Because it's a play for votes that doesn't change anything. If he was really conservative he'd get rid the LCBO entirely and full free market alcohol sales. It's still puritanical/tyrannical because they are the only wholesaler in Ontario.

How about I dunno, at least pretend like your trying to balance the budget? That would be nice. Or stop trying to be mayor of Toronto. Or stop doing random property development BS and focus on a clean and efficient tax and regulation environment. But I'm realizing that's outside his area of expertise so he'll never do it.

 

[Czech_pivo]

The best time to plant a tree was ten years ago. The second best time is right now. We have an opportunity to begin a series of national mega-projects, never again will Canada be so united and craving economic nationalism. Strike while the iron is hot so to speak.

100% agree - need to move fast while all the chickens are nodding their heads yes before it changes

 

[Brad Sallows]

A common theme of conservatives regardless of sub-faction used to be trade liberalization.

Liquor sales isn't really a core or even a fringe government responsibility. Obviously tariffs and contract abrogation aren't examples of liberalization.

I reiterate that the best principle to follow when presented by protectionism is to respond by retaining and increasing liberal policies. I notice that despite talking about it a lot, there still hasn't been a lot of movement on internal liberalization. Our "Team Canada" leaders are trying very hard not to have to shed their own protectionist policies. On mega-projects, governments should be clearing regulatory burdens, not choosing winners and losers.

I'm expecting a backdown by Trump at some point not too far in the future ("declare victory and go home") when a face-saving excuse presents. It should be obvious that the mess created in the auto industry alone is going to produce intense pressures for an exception, and once there is one exception everyone else will be clamouring for one. I suppose with the 10% (lower) tariff on energy imports there is already one exception.

 

[HavokFour]

A little roast to brighten the day. Loving the solidarity so far from the Premiers.

https://www.reddit.com/r/BuyCanadian/comments/1j3wpvh/manitoba_premier_wab_kinew_signs_executive_order

 

[Good2Golf]

I'm expecting a backdown by Trump at some point not too far in the future ("declare victory and go home") when a face-saving excuse presents. It should be obvious that the mess created in the auto industry alone is going to produce intense pressures for an exception, and once there is one exception everyone else will be clamouring for one. I suppose with the 10% (lower) tariff on energy imports there is already one exception.

Likely, and will no doubt be characterized as Canada and Mexico bending a knee, but interesting to see how the recent discussions with *Lutnick and Ford went, including elements of the discussion that related specifically to Ontario‘s 25% export tariff on electricity, which made a clear point about energy. NE US has no immediate options to counter that move, they’re beholden to ON (and Qc) electricity for now.

 

[Good2Golf]

A little roast to brighten the day. Loving the solidarity so far from the Premiers.

https://www.reddit.com/r/BuyCanadian/comments/1j3wpvh/manitoba_premier_wab_kinew_signs_executive_order

Chef’s kiss move by Wab would have been using a fat Sharpie! Love the passive-aggressive mirroring of the Don’s EO signing style.

 

[Rifleman62]

This situation could have been Trudeau's "Finest Hour" if he hadn't spent ten years destroying Canada.

 

[ModlrMike]

Regardless of how this plays out for us, the lesson for the rest of the world is clear: don't enter into a trade agreement with the US. I anticipate that global trade is going to change significantly as companies and countries ensure that their not vulnerable to these same tactics.

 

[Swampbuggy]

Costco $1 ones not good enough for you!

Ahem, expert here…it’s a $1.50. I plan my whole waistline around Costco hotdog economics.

 

[Good2Golf]

Regardless of how this plays out for us, the lesson for the rest of the world is clear: don't enter into a trade agreement with the US. I anticipate that global trade is going to change significantly as companies and countries ensure that their not vulnerable to these same tactics.

That Trump essentially invalidated his own word from earlier is for sure a lesson available to others to learn. Don’t trust America…even in deals that favor themselves.

 

[Swampbuggy]

I don't think people actually know what "conservative" means. Are we talking a modern Tory? A MAGA acolyte? Burkean conservative? All three have almost nothing in common but are labelled the same way. Conservative is rapidly becoming an unuseful label.

Well, the trend in social media is moving towards “leftist” or “righty”. Essentially if anything has even the remotest whiff of socialism, lefty and if you disagree with that whiff, righty. It’s shorter, but probably no more accurate.

 

[Kirkhill]

I don't think people actually know what "conservative" means. Are we talking a modern Tory? A MAGA acolyte? Burkean conservative? All three have almost nothing in common but are labelled the same way. Conservative is rapidly becoming an unuseful label.

On the other hand conservative can mean what it has always meant: maintaining the status quo.

Two parties. One promotes change. One opposes change.

There are those that still aspire to the old Catholic order and wish to conserve that structure.
There are those that wish to conserve the changes made under the Protestant order.
There are Liberal conservatives.
Socialist conservatives
And, I predict, in the US, in the aftermath of the MAGA movement, there will be Progressive conservatives that will fight to retain the advances they made before Trump.

Beyond that "conservatives" have nothing in common.
But there again, neither do the "parties of change". They can't agree on what changes they all want. Starting with what should replace the monarchy.