Canada - USA Trade War commencing March 2025 #3

[Yellowbelly]

Trump tasks JD Vance with rooting out 'distorted' narratives at Smithsonian

President Donald Trump said a "concerted and widespread" effort over the past decade has sought to rewrite American history.

www.newsweek.com

Oh no.!!!!! not the Smithsonian!!!! the Smithsonian, and the US Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corp are the only things in the USA worth a crumpet!!!!!! HANDS OFF THE SMITHSONIAN>>>


'''''President Donald Trump on Thursday announced a sweeping plan to reshape the Smithsonian Institution, signing an executive order aimed at cutting funding to programs he claims promote "divisive narratives" and "improper ideology."

Trump said a "concerted and widespread" effort over the past decade has sought to rewrite American history by replacing "objective facts" with ideologically driven distortions.

The order places Vice President JD Vance in charge of leading the effort to eliminate what the administration deems "improper ideology" across all branches of the Smithsonian, including its museums, research centers, educational initiatives and even the National Zoo.''''''


PS... ( Maybe the Met in New York might be on the worthy list.... ) Santa Barbara station, ok.. it can be on the list.. The Guggenheim...I might think of other bits.. bits of Savannah... bits of Vermont.. thats it.

It's questionable in the extreme if the Head of the Executive Branch has any authority over the Smithsonian, or if the VP has any more power over the day to day running of it than any of the other trustees.

GIven that he's the head of the institution, I wonder what John Roberts makes of all this.

Smithsonian Institution - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[SouthAussie]

Canadians are rallying behind Carney and expecting him to deal with Trump. I heard that the USA government reached out to Prime Minister Carney and requested a phone meeting. That will be set up in the next day or two.

Carney has said that Trump has to be respectful. I look forward to hearing how Carney deals with a belligerent man who thinks can steal the land from under the feet of Canadians.

NDP is flipping to Liberal. Conservative remains the same.

Poll Tracker

If an election were held today, who would win? The CBC News Poll Tracker is your guide to following the polls. Get the latest numbers and analysis on where the political parties stand from Éric Grenier.

newsinteractives.cbc.ca

I am seeing articles (a lot of them) saying that the US/Canadian relationship is over. As per Mark Carney's media announcement on Thursday.
I expect that might be part of the conversation between the US and Canada in the phone call.


The era of deep economic, security and military ties between Canada and the United States "is over," Prime Minister Mark Carney said Thursday, after President Donald Trump announced steep auto tariffs.

He also warned Canadians that Trump had permanently altered relations with the United States and that, regardless of any future trade deals, there would be "no turning back."

"The old relationship we had with the United States based on deepening integration of our economies and tight security and military cooperation is over," Carney said.

Canada PM Carney declares end of close US ties

 

[SouthAussie]

It is 5.35 am in Nuuk , Greenland, Friday morning... the day is almost beginning for the sturdy folks of Nuuk , a hearty breakfast of porridge, and rhubarb jam and toast, some fine cheese and fresh rye bread, and then it's time to man the barricades and hoist up the placards and pull on the good boots to stand one's ground..... just another Friday in Greenland!!

Russia weighs in .....


Meanwhile in Russia, Vladimir Putin told an Arctic forum in Murmansk on Thursday that he considered US plans to acquire Greenland as “serious”. “We are talking about serious plans on the American side with regard to Greenland,” he said. “These plans have longstanding historical roots.”

JD Vance to expect frosty reception in Greenland amid diplomatic row

Visit by US vice-president and wife met with hostility by leaders after Trump’s threats to acquire territory

www.theguardian.com

 

[SouthAussie]

It's questionable in the extreme if the Head of the Executive Branch has any authority over the Smithsonian, or if the VP has any more power over the day to day running of it than any of the other trustees.

GIven that he's the head of the institution, I wonder what John Roberts makes of all this.

Smithsonian Institution - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Unfortunately, the federal govt is the majority funder of The Smithsonian. They will probably do what they are doing to universities. 'Do what we want, or we are stripping your funding'. imo


Today, federal funds make up about 62% of the institution's annual budget.

Philanthropy at the Smithsonian | Smithsonian Institution

Learn more about Philanthropy at the Smithsonian

www.si.edu

In the fiscal year 2024, running between October 1, 2023 and September 30, 2024, the Smithsonian Institution received federal appropriations, namely U.S. governmental funds, for 1.09 billion U.S. dollars.

Smithsonian museums: federal appropriations 2024 | Statista

 

[steeltowngirl]

Precisely. The National Security Advisor, the Vice President, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of State, the Director of National Intelligence.

The level of responsibility doesn't go any higher. Other than maybe Elon Musk.

Good point. I was thinking of CISA or the Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD) who advises the President of the United States on cybersecurity policy and strategy. https://x.com/oncd?s=21&t=anO-eCHLnWPFJJNkD-2FlA

I looked for the ONCD website https://www.whitehouse.gov/oncd and curiously, hit a 404 page.

If the team still exists, I bet their next “5 things I did this week” report will be a doozie.

jmo

 

[otto]

I think that the reality of global warming is showing the northern Arctic is a feasible trade route after all, and a route that must be protected in a way that was not considered in the 20th century. During the 1800's and such it was just a frozen nightmare where there was a Northwest Passage, but it was an unreliable trade route.

I'd like to know how Trump came up with the idea of annexing Canada and Greenland. I have to think that somehow Putin gave him the idea. He should have propsed a Northern Arctic Association or something like that where there was a common interest and common ownership of the territory and routes, sort of along the lines of NATO to keep Putin out, without having to own the entire thing.

His faith in his ability to Deal is not a fruitful way to do global diplomacy. Trying to make secure neighbors capitulate by manipulating trade is unwarranted economic war.

China has ambitions for Greenland and the Polar Silk Road to transport goods from Asia to Europe, but it means busting up the Arctic ice cap - presumably with limited respect for environmental consequences. Given recent decision for Alaska to ignore environmental studies and extract oil in sensitive wildlife areas, the USA would similarly ignore sensitive Arctic regions.

Canada, Russia and Greenland own existing Arctic shipping channels. The USA and China want control. The bonus with either country asserting control over Greenland and Canada is the natural resource wealth. China wants access for trade routes, the USA simply wants control - there is no geographic benefit for the USA to ship goods through the Arctic.

The USA presents itself as the only country that can provide security to Canada and Greenland, however that security is only available if both countries give up all rights and join the USA. Canada and Greenland reject the offer from the USA, and will find other options for managing Arctic trade routes.

"History of the Polar Silk Road

Origins: The concept of the Polar Silk Road was officially introduced in 2017, aligning with the BRI, which was first announced in 2013. The PSR aims to utilize the Northern Sea Route (NSR) and potentially other Arctic passages for reducing shipping times between Asia and Europe by avoiding traditional routes through the Suez Canal or around Africa.
...

Chinese firms have pursued projects such as the Isua Iron ore mine and Kvanefjeld rare earth mine and bidding on airport construction projects. China has a Polar Silk Road strategy to access Arctic Resources and shipping routes."

Greenlanders are Pro-Independence, Pro-USA and Wary of China's Polar Silk Road | NextBigFuture.com

A 2021 survey of Greenland had 69.1 percent of those asked think that Greenland should cooperate more closely with the U.S.

www.nextbigfuture.com

 

[otto]

You've got my total support. I would love to believe there is another view, but I can't find it.

I'm curious. Why is the US admin trying to take over Canada (and is being more aggressive to Canada, their closest ally), but not Mexico? What is the difference between the two countries? Is it resources? Is it race? I'm not sure, but I'm definitely curious.

The reason that the USA gov't wants Canada while blocking Mexico is natural resources, international trade routes, and perhaps racial bias. Canada is rapidly becoming an international community of like-minded, well-educated multicultural citizens who value, above all, the safety and quality of life that Canada provides. Many first generation Canadians, like me, have family history of fleeing persecution in foreign countries. We cannot and will not give up that safety to be ruled by a tyrant South of the border.

Regarding racial difference, Trump has repeatedly stated that migrants entering the USA from the South border are pet-eating criminals and murderers. It's obvious that he views people from South America as sub-human. He sees El Salvador as good for nothing except a brutal prison system.

He probably views Canada as European based, therefore more like him. What he doesn't seem to know is that Canada is a mosaic of multiculturalism. I have stood on street corners in the downtown core of my Canadian city where I count people who appear to be of European descent, same curiosity at the university. Those who appear to be of European descent are a large minority (for example, 3-5/20).

I don't believe that the current USA government would respect the organic diversity that exists in Canada. That same government would most certainly would not respect the rights of Indigenous Peoples.

"The [2016] census shows 7.7 million Canadians belong to a visible minority, representing 22.3 per cent of the population. That is up from just 4.7 per cent in 1981 and could rise to about one-third by 2036."

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/census-2016-immigration-1.4368970

Projections for 2041 are 20 million visible minority Canadians, and inter-racial marriage will probably be much higher than is currently projected.

Population by racialized group, 2016 (estimated) and 2041 (projected under the reference scenario), Canada

none

www150.statcan.gc.ca

 

[otto]

The USA is the fourth largest country in the world with the third largest population. Canada is the second largest country in the world and ranks 38 for population size. The USA needs more land, and more natural resources, for future growth and global dominance. The USA ambition of dominance is unsustainable without reliance on countries like Canada, Greenland and China. The USA could work with Canada and Greenland to ensure future sustainability, but chooses authoritarian methods over diplomacy. The USA wants to take/steal what all countries need, without compensation, to retain global power.

"Spreading Greenland rock flour on corn fields in Ghana produced a 30 to 50 per cent increase in crop yields. Similar yield gains occurred when it was spread on Danish fields that produce the barley for Carlsberg beer.

With melting ice depositing an estimated one billion tonnes of glacial flour a year, Greenland has the potential to restore depleted soils around the world, while a single tonne of it can capture 250 kilograms of carbon.

The material requires no processing, and there is enough of it simply lying around in Greenland to cover every acre of agricultural land in the world. "There is great material out there," said Menezes, "that I think deserves attention. It really is — like water — the future."

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trump-greenland-security-resources-1.7431319

 

[TootsieFootsie]

The USA wants to take/steal what all countries need, without compensation, to retain global power.

 

[otto]

Carney to speak with Trump this morning.

I am curious to hear about this phone call. The USA government has a history of using profanity when speaking to Canadian government officials. Trump does not recognize Canada's sovereignty. Will the USA government understand that they are speaking to a foreign leader, or will the government act as though they are talking to a baboon.

"On Thursday, Carney told reporters in Ottawa that Trump's office had reached out to arrange a call and that it would take place "in the coming days."

Carney has previously said he is open to a conversation if the president, who has repeatedly said that Canada should become the 51st state, respects Canada's sovereignty."

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/carney-trump-call-today-1.7495824

 

[LovesPeace2]

From Smiths visit to Florida yesterday. I'm speechless maybe she needs to move over there jmvho

Danielle Smith and Ben Shapiro discuss Canada electing ‘solid allies’ to Trump at Florida event

On stage at a PragerU fundraiser, the Alberta premier, under fire for allegedly encouraging U.S. leaders to influence Canadian politics, said, 'I come in peace.'

www.nationalobserver.com

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and conservative influencer Ben Shapiro discussed how to help Canada elect “solid allies” to the Trump administration during a private gala in south Florida, according to audio of the event obtained by DeSmog and Canada’s National Observer.

“There was a massive conservative movement that's happening in Canada,” Shapiro said during the 25-minute conversation with Smith. “I think the obstacles to that need to be removed. It is better for the United States to have actual solid allies running in Canada than to have some of the schmucks that have been running Canada over the past few years.”

 

[LovesPeace2]

Danielle Smith heads to Florida for controversial U.S. fundraising event at secret location

Premier Danielle Smith arrived somewhere in Florida to represent Alberta in a controversial fundraiser for a right-wing U.S. organization.

calgaryherald.com

The trip has become controversial for Smith as critics have challenged her for multiple trips to the U.S. to meet with government officials and right-wing media outlets

 

[LovesPeace2]

One in five Americans want their state to join Canada amid escalating trade war: poll

In January, Trump threatened to use "economic force" to annex Canada.

nationalpost.com

One in five Americans (20 per cent) polled by Leger this week say they would like their state to join Canada.

“Only 9 per cent of Canadians believe it is likely that Canada will become the 51st U.S. state. By contrast, 20 per cent of Americans would like their state to join Canada and become a Canadian province, a proportion that is higher among respondents aged 18 to 34 (30 per cent),” reads the new Léger report.

 

[LovesPeace2]

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/27/if-china-freight-ship-fines-hit-were-out-of-business-in-us-carrier-warns.html

If ACL abandoned the U.S. market, domestic manufacturers would lose their only U.S.-headquartered North Atlantic carrier, and primary North Atlantic carrier of oversized and project cargo to Europe. ACL handles vehicles, construction equipment, aircraft including Airbus wings, and project cargo, including more than half of the American construction equipment, agricultural equipment and oversized machinery moving from the ports of New York, Baltimore and Norfolk to Europe.

 

[303gmf]

Are you talking about the take down Tesla/Musk rally? Jasmine Crockett is a mess and I don’t mean in a good way. The majority of Americans support DOGE. moo

Pam Bondi tells Jasmine Crockett to ‘tread carefully’ as Democratic rep plans ‘Global Day of Action’ against Tesla

“She is an elected public official, so she needs to tread very carefully because nothing will happen to Elon Musk, and we are going to fight to protect all the Tesla owners throughout this co…

nypost.com

Speaking for the majority???
Nahhhh

The NY Post is a ridiculous source of Murdoch disinformation and propaganda, we can do better!

 

[otto]

From Smiths visit to Florida yesterday. I'm speechless maybe she needs to move over there jmvho

Danielle Smith and Ben Shapiro discuss Canada electing ‘solid allies’ to Trump at Florida event

On stage at a PragerU fundraiser, the Alberta premier, under fire for allegedly encouraging U.S. leaders to influence Canadian politics, said, 'I come in peace.'

www.nationalobserver.com

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and conservative influencer Ben Shapiro discussed how to help Canada elect “solid allies” to the Trump administration during a private gala in south Florida, according to audio of the event obtained by DeSmog and Canada’s National Observer.

“There was a massive conservative movement that's happening in Canada,” Shapiro said during the 25-minute conversation with Smith. “I think the obstacles to that need to be removed. It is better for the United States to have actual solid allies running in Canada than to have some of the schmucks that have been running Canada over the past few years.”

That sounds like the same election interference we heard about last week, where she asked Trump to delay tariffs so Poilievre had a better chance of being elected Prime Minister. She presented Poilievre has being aligned with USA goals.

Poilievre is an ally, Carney is a "schmuck" - thank you Premier Smith! What a team player.

The Alberta Premier has been on her own island for a long time, out of step with the province and the country. I don't believe that any of the extreme right-wing events she attended in the last few months have made any difference to tariffs. Energy tariffs (water, oil) across Canada are 10% because the USA needs that energy, not for any other reason.

Premier Smith is worried that Prime Minister Carney will respond to the USA exactly as Canadians want. That will strengthen his position as Prime Minister. If he's doing the job Canadians want to see, they have no reason to vote for Poilievre - who is having difficulties pivoting in response to new Canadian priorities.

 

[Lyanna]

Greenland braced for JD Vance visit after Trump’s claim US will inevitably take over island – Europe live

US vice president will visit Pituffik space base in Greenland later today

www.theguardian.com

New Government formed in Greenland

Wonder the impact this will have on today's visit by the unwanted guests if any?

(Need to scroll down to see congratulations of New Government being formed)

 

[otto]

I'm hearing speculation that the USA government's obsession with Canada's supply management dairy might be mentioned during the phone call this morning. Does it really seem like a win to reduce the existing dairy tariff of 7.5%? Does the USA gov't really think they can prevent supply management in Canada? How would that benefit Canada?

Carney has said that the USA has violated the CUSMA, therefore the deal is dead. It's gone.

Does the USA want to discuss a new trade agreement? That takes many months, and the USA is untrustworthy, unreliable.

Why does the USA gov't want to talk to Canada today?

 

[otto]

This link includes threats from the USA government that Canada will be punished if Canada develops trade relationships with other nations, such as the EU. There is no trade relationship with the USA, so why does the USA think they can dictate to Canada regarding trade relationships?

I like Carney's comment that those who worship Trump are actually kneeling before him, not standing with him.

"Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said that Canada's old relationship with the United States, "based on deepening integration of our economies and tight security and military cooperation, is over".

Carney, the Liberal Party leader, called the original Canada-US Automotive Products Agreement signed in 1965 the most important deal in his lifetime. "That's finished with these tariffs," he said in French.

Canada needs to build an economy Canadians can control, he said, and that would include rethinking it's trade relationship with other partners. It remains to be seen whether Canadians can have a strong trading relationship with the United States going forward, he added.
...

Earlier this month, after he became Liberal leader and before he was sworn in as prime minister, Carney gave a victory speech in which he lambasted the US president. "A person who worships at the altar of Donald Trump will kneel before him, not stand up to him," he said, while assailing his main rival, Poilievre."

Canada PM Mark Carney says old relationship with US 'is over'

The Canadian leader said his country's relationship with the US had changed due to Trump's tariffs, jeopardising future cooperation.

www.bbc.com

 

[Herat]

It's questionable in the extreme if the Head of the Executive Branch has any authority over the Smithsonian, or if the VP has any more power over the day to day running of it than any of the other trustees.

GIven that he's the head of the institution, I wonder what John Roberts makes of all this.

Smithsonian Institution - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Trump is also sending Vance to The National Zoo to remove "inappropriate ideology" . This is not a joke.

https://www.npr.org/2025/03/27/nx-s1-5342914/smithsonian-president-trump-executive-order

He is also trying to route DEI and "inappropriate descriptions of American history" from the African-American Museum in Washington DC and the Museum of the American Women.