2 weeks Ago
Here are some ways Trump’s tariffs might hurt Canadians, from food to housing to small businesses, Feb. 2 To our dear Canadian friends: I write to you today with a deep sense of regret. Our two nations share far more than just a border.
We share history, values and a friendship that has endured through times of war and peace, hardship and prosperity. It is with this in mind that I offer our sincerest apologies for the unjust and unwarranted tariffs imposed upon Canadian products by our leadership. These tariffs do not reflect the goodwill American people hold toward Canada.
They do not honour the spirit of co-operation that has long defined our relationship. Instead, these tariffs represent a moment of hostility that runs counter to the respect and trust that should guide our shared economic and diplomatic endeavours. I recognize these actions will place undue strain on Canadian businesses, workers and families, on people who have stood with us as allies and friends.
From the beaches of Normandy to peacekeeping missions around the world, from trade agreements that have strengthened both our economies to the everyday bonds of culture and kinship, Canada has been a steadfast partner. The imposition of these tariffs is not only an insult to that partnership, but a betrayal of the mutual prosperity we have built together. Please know that many Americans feel as I do and do not support these policies, nor do we condone the aggressive and dismissive rhetoric that has accompanied them.
You deserve better from us, and I pray in the future we will once again work to ensure that the true nature of our friendship is one based on fairness, co-operation and respect. I look forward to the day when this rift is healed, and we can once again move forward as the close allies we were always meant to be. With respect and regret, Andrew Lewis, Decatur, Ga.
Dear friends of Canada. I live in Minnesota where we share a border. I have travelled to most provinces in wonderful Canada and have always felt welcome and loved every visit I have made.
I am writing to express my dismay that the current occupant of our White House has decided to create such a divide between our two countries. Stay strong Canadians, and increase the price you charge for your oil. Karen Hovland, St.
Paul, Minn. Canada won’t back down, will scale up retaliation against Trump’s tariffs as needed, government says, Feb. 2 Tariffs will not solve the fentanyl crisis or illegal immigrants going to the United States.
I call upon all Canadians to buy Canadian goods and services, to vacation in Canada. It’s a lose-lose scenario with these punitive tariffs brought on by the U.S.
We didn’t ask for tariffs. I thought the free trade deal was a reasonable compromise and a measure of fair diplomacy between nations. President Trump, you must stop this war mongering; it will make your election promises seem like empty rhetoric in the next year or two.
Canada, provinces: hit the States where it hurts, in the pocketbook of Americans. Provincial leaders, I ask you to open up the trade barriers between provinces. Encourage all of us to trade west-east, instead of north-south.
Richard MacFarlane, Toronto As a dual U.S./Canadian citizen permanently residing in the U.
S., I am disgusted that President Donald Trump would impose these vindictive tariffs on an ally and neighbouring country. As such, I encourage all Canadians to avoid visiting the U.
S. in response to the Trump tariffs until they are rescinded. A significant portion of state tax revenue, especially for southern states such as Florida, Texas and Arizona, comes from Canadian visitors and vacationers and the loss of or reduction of this revenue will be painful and likely have a significant impact on these states.
This would result in pressure on the American federal government to end the tariffs. For those Canadians seeking sunshine, there are many alternatives in Mexico, Cuba, the Caribbean and around the world to explore. So please pass on the U.
S. this year and send a message to the Trump administration that the U.S.
tariff policy is unacceptable to Canadians. David Sells, Sarasota, Fla. Justin Trudeau strikes back with retaliatory levies after Trump imposes tariffs on Canadian goods, Feb.
1 In his press conference announcing Canada’s response to Trump’s tariffs, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau showed us again that he is articulate, rational, and classy: everything that Trump is not. He conducted himself as a true leader should and made me proud to be Canadian. Thomas Mulligan, Grimsby Doug Ford has stripped himself of credibility with a Trumped-up snap election, Jan.
29 Martin Regg Cohn’s article about Premier Doug Ford not having any remaining credibility hit the nail on the head. Premier Ford has a mandate for another 16 months and has failed to deliver on health care, housing and numerous other important issues. Now he has called an election in hopes of another four-year mandate, and he has given working Ontarians a $200 bribe.
Either us, our children or grandchildren will at some point have to pay this loan back. It would have been appropriate for the Ontario government to put those monies towards health care and/or work towards other promises which have not been fulfilled. Now, instead of working in conjunction with the other provincial leaders and the federal government to plan a reasonable strategy to deal with U.
S. President Donald Trump and his tariffs, Ford will be out campaigning and making more promises he has no intention of keeping. In my humble opinion, the premier has failed us more than not.
Henry Goverde, Oshawa, Ont. Kudos to Martin Regg Cohn for his insightful and informative column. My first take away is Doug Ford needs to understand he is not the prime minister of our country, he is the premier of one of 10 provinces and three territories.
As such, it is his job to unite with the other premiers and throw their collective support completely and unequivocally behind our federal officials, creating a united front that will deal more effectively with Donald Trump. Also, Doug Ford’s speeches definitely have a self-serving, self-aggrandizement ring to them. Ford is an opportunist and sees this country-wide trade war as a golden opportunity to increase his mandate here in Ontario.
He must be thanking his lucky stars for Trump’s hubris. I realize Ford’s primary concern is Ontario, but it is time for him to broaden his thinking so he focuses on what we in Ontario can do for the benefit of the entire country, not just his personal political position. Patricia Steward, East York.
