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

[Fishbone Jones]

The one we lovingly referred to as "Emperor Palpatine" during Op PROVISION in Lebanon? Who I had to escort back to his room after he passed out in the cigar lounge?

That one?

He came up to me in the mess in Camp Julien, drunk and slobbering all over me. He spent 20 minutes talking nonsense before the DSM, his escort, hustled him away and warning me to keep my mouth shut about the incident.

 

[rmc_wannabe]

He came up to me in the mess in Camp Julien, drunk and slobbering all over me. He spent 20 minutes talking nonsense before the DSM, his escort, hustled him away and warning me to keep my mouth shut about the incident.

He had no idea why we had CAF members on ground (GAC had put out the RFA, and he was Minister) and then became our best friend because "I used to be MND, you know..."

I was grateful to see him leave the AO...

 

[RangerRay]

I dunno - probably. Can't recall his name but Palpatine fits.

John.....McCallum?? yeah that one...former Ambassador to China. The one that told us not to pick on China. I have a word for him....

Yep. The same one that Freeland told Trudeau “Either he goes or I go”.

 

[JLB50]

Yep. The same one that Freeland told Trudeau “Either he goes or I go”.

McCallum is IMHO one of the worst of the worst.

 

[Remius]

Why some female physicians are eyeing a move to Canada from the U.S.

Female physicians in the U.S. are considering moving north of the border to practice medicine due to the changing political landscape in their country.

www.ctvnews.ca

Take as many as we can.

 

[QV]

Perhaps of Canada hadn’t spread its legs so wide for China, President Trump wouldn’t think you’d be so open to taking it…

Now I think the US approach is stupid and hurtful to both nations, but I’m surprised it took this to make Canada wake up, and frankly the angst should be focused on a number of folks not just DJT.

I’m not sure Canada has woken up yet. But here’s Steve Bannon’s take with Brian Lilley. Summary: Trump is not trolling, he’s very serious about it, he is trying to shore up security of the continent. Main adversary is China, Russia is a mainly EU problem.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1891612153087488158

This follows my thoughts that the US, may be feel it can not fight a two front war any longer mainly on its own.

 

[CBH99]

I forget, was the Chris Barber/Freedom convoy investigation RCMP or Ottawa PS?

I actually have no idea who the primary agency was on this.

I'm tempted to suggest OPS for a few reasons, but then I think of the national aspect of things & how many people came to Ottawa from across the country and it leads me to lean towards the RCMP...

I did find this, which has me thinking it was the RCMP - but my official answer is that I honestly don't know.

https://rcmp.ca/en/corporate-information/publications-and-manuals/project-natterjack-national-after-action-review#s6

...


I understand and agree with you that ideally someone should come to them with some sort of evidence to support a criminal complaint.

But as we all know, that isn't always possible...

Surely enough evidence has been uncovered by now through Committee, whistleblowers, media leaks, and voluntary admissions/statements from the relevant parties. The missing piece of the puzzle always seems to be the lack of criminal charges that one would think would follow...

 

[lenaitch]

Surely enough evidence has been uncovered by now through Committee, whistleblowers, media leaks, and voluntary admissions/statements from the relevant parties. The missing piece of the puzzle always seems to be the lack of criminal charges that one would think would follow...

Cool, all they would need to do is convince a justice that those records, statements, media clips, etc. form reasonable grounds that there is sufficient admissible evidence of a criminal offence to issue a warrant or production order.

 

[brihard]

Just look at the absolute hell the PM has unleashed upon Chris Barber from the Freedom Convoy.

He's had an incredibly expensive legal battle to endure which I'm sure at this point has financially crippled him, as Trudeau instructed federal prosecutors to appeal the verdict to drag this out even longer, after what was already the longest mischief trial of all time...

As of Friday, federal prosecutors were asking for a 10 year prison sentence...for mischief!! Aggravating factors being included, that's utterly insane. (Especially considering we don't even hand prison sentences to repeat violent offenders who violently reoffend while on bail or probation...)

But it goes to show you how far Trudeau will go to punish anybody who dares cross him.

(All done with the express cooperation of the Justice Minister, and essentially no independent input from an independent Attorney General)

The need complaints or allegations of potential criminal activity. Somebody needs to bring them something that gives them grounds to believe that criminal offence has taken place. If you tell the cops you think your neighbour is a drug dealer, they need more than just your allegations to get warrant.

I forget, was the Chris Barber/Freedom convoy investigation RCMP or Ottawa PS?

I actually have no idea who the primary agency was on this.

I'm tempted to suggest OPS for a few reasons, but then I think of the national aspect of things & how many people came to Ottawa from across the country and it leads me to lean towards the RCMP...

I did find this, which has me thinking it was the RCMP - but my official answer is that I honestly don't know.

https://rcmp.ca/en/corporate-information/publications-and-manuals/project-natterjack-national-after-action-review#s6

...


I understand and agree with you that ideally someone should come to them with some sort of evidence to support a criminal complaint.

But as we all know, that isn't always possible...

Surely enough evidence has been uncovered by now through Committee, whistleblowers, media leaks, and voluntary admissions/statements from the relevant parties. The missing piece of the puzzle always seems to be the lack of criminal charges that one would think would follow...

Cool, all they would need to do is convince a justice that those records, statements, media clips, etc. form reasonable grounds that there is sufficient admissible evidence of a criminal offence to issue a warrant or production order.

To the best of my knowledge, all criminal investigations and charges laid for the Ottawa convoy were Ottawa Police Service files. Many other police services provided bodies and intelligence support, but all arrestees were filtered back to OPS and processed through their cellblock. Similarly, again to the best of my knowledge, all Ottawa convoy prosecutions have been prosecuted by crown counsel from the Ontario Ministry of the Attirney General. I confirmed this includes the Lich and Barber trial. I’m not aware of, and don’t believe there has been any involvement by federal crown prosecutors from the Public Prosecution Service of Canada.

Barber and Lich are still awaiting a verdict, so I’m not sure where any talk of some sort of appeal there is coming from. Likewise, crown has not yet been in a position to make an argument on sentencing. Pat King will be sentenced tomorrow, that might be a source of confusion. That’s also prosecuted by provincial crown though.

Anyway, hope that clears a bit up re: the criminal proceedings related to the Ottawa convoy.

 

[CBH99]

To the best of my knowledge, all criminal investigations and charges laid for the Ottawa convoy were Ottawa Police Service files. Many other police services provided bodies and intelligence support, but all arrestees were filtered back to OPS and processed through their cellblock. Similarly, again to the best of my knowledge, all Ottawa convoy prosecutions have been prosecuted by crown counsel from the Ontario Ministry of the Attirney General. I confirmed this includes the Lich and Barber trial. I’m not aware of, and don’t believe there has been any involvement by federal crown prosecutors from the Public Prosecution Service of Canada.

Barber and Lich are still awaiting a verdict, so I’m not sure where any talk of some sort of appeal there is coming from. Likewise, crown has not yet been in a position to make an argument on sentencing. Pat King will be sentenced tomorrow, that might be a source of confusion. That’s also prosecuted by provincial crown though.

Anyway, hope that clears a bit up re: the criminal proceedings related to the Ottawa convoy.

Thank You for clearing that up - you actually cleared up some important distinctions that I was unaware of. (I think most Canadians are mistaken about some of those details also)

Pat King's sentencing is what had some of my wires crossed.

Given the PM's role in the whole ordeal + the involvement of the federal government in the whole thing, I think I must've assumed it would be federal prosecutors handling the file.

And given the target of the protests was the federal government & a lot of the activities were staged near the parliament buildings, I'm actually surprised it isnt the feds. Learn something new every day...

 

[CBH99]

Cool, all they would need to do is convince a justice that those records, statements, media clips, etc. form reasonable grounds that there is sufficient admissible evidence of a criminal offence to issue a warrant or production order.

And that circles me right back to asking the same question as before... Why hasn't that happened yet?

 

[childs56]

Perhaps of Canada hadn’t spread its legs so wide for China, President Trump wouldn’t think you’d be so open to taking it…

Now I think the US approach is stupid and hurtful to both nations, but I’m surprised it took this to make Canada wake up, and frankly the angst should be focused on a number of folks not just DJT.

Trump should clean up his own yard before telling others how to clean up theirs.
Lots of open sources on China and its attempted and or influence on US politics, media and trade.

U.S. goods imports from China in 2024 totaled $438.9 billion
U.S. goods exports to China in 2024 were $143.5 billion


Canada Imports US goods in 2022 $356.5 billion 17.3 percent of total U.S. goods exports. Largest share of their exports.

Pretty good safe trade partner with Canada.
Trump wants Canada's minerals, water and skilled labor for himself. Nothing more.
This has little to do with actual physical security and Military/ border security.
If it did then the United States Military would immediately ground their US fleets of all equipment with Chinese processors and micro chips. Which is the vast majority of their equipment. Again open source on supply of these.

We shall see, if Canada makes better trade deals and agreements with friendlier nations, where that will leave Canada US trade deals. If we can source goods elsewhere and sell good elsewhere the US will be looking for somewhere else to sell their repurposed foreign goods.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

Hmm, I had to look and make sure we were still in the CAN-USA 2025 Tariff Strife thread.

 

[KevinB]

Trump should clean up his own yard before telling others how to clean up theirs.
Lots of open sources on China and its attempted and or influence on US politics, media and trade.

U.S. goods imports from China in 2024 totaled $438.9 billion
U.S. goods exports to China in 2024 were $143.5 billion


Canada Imports US goods in 2022 $356.5 billion 17.3 percent of total U.S. goods exports. Largest share of their exports.

Pretty good safe trade partner with Canada.
Trump wants Canada's minerals, water and skilled labor for himself. Nothing more.
This has little to do with actual physical security and Military/ border security.
If it did then the United States Military would immediately ground their US fleets of all equipment with Chinese processors and micro chips. Which is the vast majority of their equipment. Again open source on supply of these.

We shall see, if Canada makes better trade deals and agreements with friendlier nations, where that will leave Canada US trade deals. If we can source goods elsewhere and sell good elsewhere the US will be looking for somewhere else to sell their repurposed foreign goods.

Don’t confuse Taiwan with China for processors and chips.

You can get a waiver on some material (like Titanium) for country of origin, but you can’t get waivers for electronics.

 

[childs56]

Don’t confuse Taiwan with China for processors and chips.

No confusion at all. lots of open sources in regards to this issue and others.

You can get a waiver on some material (like Titanium) for country of origin, but you can’t get waivers for electronics.

 

[brihard]

And that circles me right back to asking the same question as before... Why hasn't that happened yet?

Speaking entirely hypothetically- if it had, that doesn’t mean the public would know. I don’t think I’ve ever obtained a production order (most recently was four days ago) that didn’t include a non disclosure order, and Informations to Obtain are routinely sealed from the public. Many investigative steps only become publicly known if a charge is laid and materials are unsealed for disclosure.

 

[Kirkhill]

Brian Lilley in Washington trailing the Premiers and interviewing Steve Bannon.

The Premiers were not wasting their time.
Dave Eby screwed the pooch.

Three words: China, China, China.

Here in Washington, the Trump vs. Canada reality isn’t what we think: Full Comment podcast

Brian Lilley reports from the ground in Washington, D.C.

nationalpost.com

This isn't Trump with a hair up his butt. This is not Trump and Xi measuring attributes. This is Xi's predecessor, Hu Jin Tao, in 2010 telling Steven Harper he wanted a seat on the Arctic Council and that China is an Arctic nation. Followed by ....

The tortuous path of China's win-win strategy in Greenland

Looking at the relationship with Greenland, China's win-win strategy is facing some obstacles when aiming to improve its Arctic role.

www.thearcticinstitute.org

View of China’s engagement in Greenland: mutual economic benefits and political non-interference | Polar Research

polarresearch.net

China failed its Arctic ambitions in Greenland

It appears both the West and Beijing itself have grossly overestimated Chinese expansion in Greenland.

www.politico.eu

China already left – so what is Trump’s Greenland gambit about? - Swedish National China Centre

What’s really driving Trump's interest in Greenland, and where does China fit into the discussion?

kinacentrum.se

China has looked to build in northern communities, premier says

China has made offers to build infrastructure in northern communities as a "foot in the door," the NWT's premier said, raising a concern over foreign influence.

cabinradio.ca

China wants to tap Nunavut minerals: Ambassador

Newspaper of record for Nunavut, and the Nunavik territory of Quebec

nunatsiaq.com

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/canada-china-tmac-1.5851305

China Wants to Invest in the Arctic. Why Doesn’t Canada? | The Walrus

While Canada ignores the North’s economic potential, China is poised to make inroads

thewalrus.ca

 

[Kirkhill]

The Chinese About Siberia:

A dispute on the wood and lumber business between Russia and China, based on land delivery, with a definite bold position of Chinese

www.searates.com

I think this is the reason why Trump doesn't want Russia humiliated and right now Vlad is Russia. If Russia were to go the way of the USSR and Yugoslavia then that would open the Siberian Arctic to Chinese influence.

Europe and Ukraine not being at the table gives Trump a cutout. Kind of like when you are buying a new car and the salesman says he will have to go talk to his manager. You have no way of knowing what that conversation was about or even if it happened.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

Brian Lilley in Washington trailing the Premiers and interviewing Steve Bannon.

The Premiers were not wasting their time.
Dave Eby screwed the pooch.

Three words: China, China, China.

Here in Washington, the Trump vs. Canada reality isn’t what we think: Full Comment podcast

Brian Lilley reports from the ground in Washington, D.C.

nationalpost.com

This isn't Trump with a hair up his butt. This is not Trump and Xi measuring attributes. This is Xi's predecessor in 2010 telling Steven Harper he wanted a seat on the Arctic Council and that China is an Arctic nation. Followed by ....

The tortuous path of China's win-win strategy in Greenland

Looking at the relationship with Greenland, China's win-win strategy is facing some obstacles when aiming to improve its Arctic role.

www.thearcticinstitute.org

View of China’s engagement in Greenland: mutual economic benefits and political non-interference | Polar Research

polarresearch.net

China failed its Arctic ambitions in Greenland

It appears both the West and Beijing itself have grossly overestimated Chinese expansion in Greenland.

www.politico.eu

China already left – so what is Trump’s Greenland gambit about? - Swedish National China Centre

What’s really driving Trump's interest in Greenland, and where does China fit into the discussion?

kinacentrum.se

China has looked to build in northern communities, premier says

China has made offers to build infrastructure in northern communities as a "foot in the door," the NWT's premier said, raising a concern over foreign influence.

cabinradio.ca

China wants to tap Nunavut minerals: Ambassador

Newspaper of record for Nunavut, and the Nunavik territory of Quebec

nunatsiaq.com

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/canada-china-tmac-1.5851305

China Wants to Invest in the Arctic. Why Doesn’t Canada? | The Walrus

While Canada ignores the North’s economic potential, China is poised to make inroads

thewalrus.ca

Something, something, I told you so, keep bouncing around in my skull.

It may already be too late, but you can't give China the slightest toe hold in any country, without long term damage to said country.

Plain and simple, their long game is world domination and sole ownership of all resources. WEF are amateurs, comparably, when it comes to installing friendly officials in foreign governments. Even though the goals appear the same.

We have had enough espionage, smuggling, political interference, coercion and theft of intellectual property, by Beijing to justify a complete severance from them. If we can't buy back what they now own here, we should nationalize it and squeeze them out.

We should help them go green and make them start using all the wind generators and solar panels they export by stopping our coal shipments to them.

 

[daftandbarmy]

Enbridge weighs in...

Enbridge CEO Calls for "National Interest" Designation for Major Pipelines in Canada

Enbridge Inc. CEO Greg Ebel said Canada must designate major pipeline projects as being "in the national interest" before companies will reinvest in them.

Speaking Friday during a quarterly earnings conference call, Ebel outlined several conditions necessary for Enbridge to consider future major oil pipeline projects similar to the company's cancelled Northern Gateway pipeline project.

Ebel said such a designation would require legislative changes at both the federal and provincial levels. He cited the need for permitting reforms and the repeal of federal legislation like Bill C-69, which altered the process for federal reviews of major projects.

He also emphasized the importance of increased Indigenous consultation and loan guarantees for Indigenous groups seeking equity stakes in these projects.

Ebel criticized federal environmental policies, including Bill C-59's greenwashing regulations and the oil and gas emissions cap, arguing that government policies should support energy production rather than curtail it.

Enbridge CEO Calls for "National Interest" Designation for Major Pipelines in Canada | Pipeline Technology Journal