Summary

In a virtual speech at the World Economic Forum, Trump suggested Canada could become a U.S. state to avoid his proposed tariffs on imports.

The remark elicited gasps from the audience.

Trump claimed the U.S. does not need Canadian lumber, energy, or vehicles, vastly overstating the trade deficit between the two nations.

He reiterated his intention to impose tariffs, potentially as high as 25%, on imports from Canada and Mexico starting February 1.

Economists warn such tariffs would raise prices for U.S. consumers.

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[–] PanArab@lemmy.ml 11 points 12 hours ago* (last edited 11 hours ago) (3 children)

Canada’s economy is dependent on the US. Trump might actually pull this off.

Edit: More context since people are downvoting. Consider the following now picture yourself one of the greedy capitalists in Canada, which is a preferred outcome? Losing your wealth or losing Canadian sovereignty?

Just because I think it is likely doesn’t mean that I think it’s right. This is clearly wrong.

[–] Pyr_Pressure@lemmy.ca 13 points 9 hours ago* (last edited 9 hours ago)

Canada is also America's largest trading partner.

America had $357 billion dollars worth of imports from Canada in 2023, if they introduce a 25% tarriff Americans will pay $446 billion instead because it's not like you'll get all that stuff anywhere else for cheaper since America is going to put tariffs on practically every other country they trade with apparently.

Corporations spend billions on the current infrastructure and trade routes and logistics, they will not uproot everything and go through the pains of firing everyone then moving to America and retraining because of a short term loss. American administrations are fickle, many of them will simply wait out the 4 years hoping it will return to normal then. If it doesn't then maybe they might consider it then but for the next 4 years Americans are going to be paying a shitload more for anything that's not made in America.

American businesses will also find it a lot more difficult to sell their products out of the country when those countries retaliate with tarriffs against them.

[–] humanspiral@lemmy.ca 7 points 8 hours ago

Canada's oligarchs like the fact that only Israel and US is allowed to compete with them, and elections are cheaper to buy. A single state makes them lose power. Population understands only negatives from US, and also would not vote for Trump.

Unfortunately for Canadians, they are still programmed to side with US over China and Russia, and that programming makes it a blasphemy to seek independence that would also protect them from the US. As long as Canada's position is to beg to restore its fully subservient colonial status, then the Trump extortion will continue.

One goal that Musk would have behind this is that it can destroy the big 3 automakers.

[–] benji@lemm.ee 3 points 9 hours ago (1 children)

Not likely.

[–] PanArab@lemmy.ml 4 points 6 hours ago

Likely doesn’t mean inevitable. I am the pessimistic type, so there’s that. I hope that I am proven wrong.