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

[Czech_pivo]

We have to be happy with the status quo, we are not the dominant partner. We don't have the economy, demographics or force to dictate shit.

Anyone who thinks we can take the initiative and momentum and somehow inflict pain and damage on the USA without them doing even worse to us is simply not living in reality.

He has us now. Wait for it. Concession Carney will do his best Chamberlin impression; and the seals will clap with flappy elbows.

AI ASSISTED
View attachment 101689

And to be clear - every single leader that has signed any document with Trump is in the exact same situation - realizing that any agreement with Trump is in essence a piece of toilet paper waiting to be used.

 

[Halifax Tar]

And to be clear - every single leader that has signed any document with Trump is in the exact same situation - realizing that any agreement with Trump is in essence a piece of toilet paper waiting to be used.

Sure. I really don't care. My focus is Canada.

 

[Czech_pivo]

Im a fan of alternate history, but not when its employment is an attempt to justify, protect or deflect from poor real world performance.

That is where our views diverge.
Outside of Trump, where every single leader, except for Putin/Saudi’s King/Kim Il, has been belittled and harassed by Trump.
Carney has done extremely well around the rest of the world and has moved us accordingly in the right direction.

 

[Halifax Tar]

That is where our views diverge.
Outside of Trump, where every single leader, except for Putin/Saudi’s King/Kim Il, has been belittled and harassed by Trump.
Carney has done extremely well around the rest of the world and has moved us accordingly in the right direction.

I took my family to BK Friday night. My wife and I had spent all day in +35 degree heat limbing and junking wood. Exhausting. First time in 47 years I ever had to retreat from the heat.

We decided on BK on the way to the camper as neither of us wanted to cook. 2 Wopper meals, 1 Nuggie meal came to 50$. We don't eat out much, my jaw hit the floor. I almost drove away.

If this is the right direction, I sure hope we don't go backwards.

 

[Czech_pivo]

I took my family to BK Friday night. My wife and I had spent all day in +35 degree heat limbing and junking wood. Exhausting. First time in 47 years I ever had to retreat from the heat.

We decided on BK on the way to the camper as neither of us wanted to cook. 2 Wopper meals, 1 Nuggie meal came to 50$. We don't eat out much, my jaw hit the floor. I almost drove away.

If this is the right direction, I sure hope we don't go backwards.

Yes, fast food prices have gone through the roof. Sadly labour costs due represent a significant portion of the costs.
Whereas when we go to the Appleby’s in the town my daughter attends university in PA, the y have half priced apps after 9pm for 5$ - bit the waitress makes 2.90&/hr there, not 17.60$/hr like in Ontario

 

[Halifax Tar]

Yes, fast food prices have gone through the roof. Sadly labour costs due represent a significant portion of the costs.
Whereas when we go to the Appleby’s in the town my daughter attends university in PA, the y have half priced apps after 9pm for 5$ - bit the waitress makes 2.90&/hr there, not 17.60$/hr like in Ontario

The CAF BFC (Basic Food Cost) for CFB Halifax has gone up 18.5% this year.

Keep in mind we buy in bulk.

 

[Czech_pivo]

The CAF BFC (Basic Food Cost) for CFB Halifax has gone up 18.5% this year.

Brutal. Not good at all.
Food security/sovereignty is key going forward but our ability to grow some fruits/veggies is never going to be possible.

 

[Halifax Tar]

Brutal. Not good at all.
Food security/sovereignty is key going forward but our ability to grow some fruits/veggies is never going to be possible.

The really ironic thing about this, is this is the CAF showing the CoL is rising, but they cut CFHD for Halifax. Maybe food isn't part of the overall CFHD matrix, but there seems to be a level of irony to me about it from where I sit.

Like I said, If this is the right direction, I sure hope we don't go backwards.

 

[Czech_pivo]

The really ironic thing about this, is this is the CAF showing the CoL is rising, but they cut CFHD for Halifax. Maybe food isn't part of the overall CFHD matrix, but there seems to be a level of irony to me about it from where I sit.

Like I said, If this is the right direction, I sure hope we don't go backwards.

What’s that black humour from Berlin in early 1945 - ‘Enjoy the war, the peace will be hell.’

 

[Czech_pivo]

I wouldn't base our strategy or hopes on this but tomorrow is Tuesday, lol.

Former Trump adviser Scaramucci predicts President will ‘TACO’ on latest tariff threat against Canada

Administration is under pressure from U.S. corporate leaders for tariff relief, Scaramucci says, referring to term that means ‘Trump Always Chickens Out’

www.theglobeandmail.com

Archived version - https://archive.ph/emger

Former Trump adviser Scaramucci predicts President will ‘TACO’ on latest tariff threat against Canada​

EDIT: Late add.

Mr. Scaramucci spoke to The Globe and Mail last week as Canadian negotiators met with their American counterparts in Washington, trying to find a more stable trade footing with the U.S. On July 20, Mr. Trump triggered a five-week countdown when he threatened the imposition of 50-per-cent tariffs on a range of Canadian goods. They are set to take effect on Aug. 19, but Mr. Scaramucci doubts they will see the light of day.
“There’s a lot of pressure on Trump to do the TACO thing,” Mr. Scaramucci said, referring to a term coined by a Financial Times columnist who argued in 2025 that “Trump Always Chickens Out.”
“Trump is getting a lot of pressure from inside the United States, and so I think this will be a good outcome, and I think it’ll probably improve Carney’s favourability.”
What Canadians aren’t seeing, Mr. Scaramucci said, is the pressure that the Trump administration is under from corporate leaders in the U.S., who he said are heavily lobbying the White House for tariff relief.
Based on sources familiar with the secret talks, The Globe reported that Ottawa may agree to some tariffs and quotas on some sectors in exchange for the U.S. lifting the more punitive tariffs.
“I think they’ll probably get a deal done, but it’s not going to be 100 per cent on Trump’s terms,” Mr. Scaramucci said. “Carney’s smart enough to know the auto executives and others are putting enormous pressure on them.”
He cautioned that the Prime Minister “can’t win outright. He’s the smaller trading partner to the behemoth.”

Mr. Scaramucci, who has a glowing assessment of Mr. Carney’s handling of the President, said he doesn’t see those concessions as signs of weakness. Instead, he said he views them as pragmatic moves to get the administration to the negotiating table. And, he argues, they could just as easily be seen as concessions to Canadian consumers and businesses.
“I don’t need to give him any advice on Trump,” Mr. Scaramucci said. “He should be giving the advice on Trump. I tell all the Western leaders that I come in touch with that Mark Carney should be your life coach.”
Mr. Scaramucci said reports that Mr. Trump was angry at the Prime Minister over the speech are “malarkey” and that the President continues to respect Mr. Carney.
“You fight with Trump, he respects you,” Mr. Scaramucci said, noting that Mr. Trump speaks more with the Canadian Prime Minister than any other Western leader.
“Carney is tough on him, Carney sort of forechecks him with his elbows, and a result of it, Trump doesn’t like that, but he respects that.”

 

[Altair]

And to be clear - every single leader that has signed any document with Trump is in the exact same situation - realizing that any agreement with Trump is in essence a piece of toilet paper waiting to be used.

Yup. And trump doesn't sign trade deals. He signs ART, agreements on reciprocal trade.

He can and does rip these up whenever he wants. He can go back to the well again and again.

Carney would be a fool to sign it. Trump can end Carneys political career.

Imagine we give up concessions for a ART. (Not a FTA, a free trade agreement ratified by congress and signed into law)

Then 6 months later Trump renegs and slaps more tariffs looking for more concessions.

Carney is done.

Carney is far better off letting the 19th pass, slapping a bunch of retaliatory tariffs on the USA and saying he wont touch CUSMA until 2029.