Canada - USA Trade War commencing March 2025 #3

[Trooper]

Doug Ford calls Wednesday ‘Termination Day’ amid tariff threats

Premier Doug Ford is warning Ontarians to “fasten” their seatbelts ahead of an expected Wednesday announcement from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding another sweeping round of tariffs.

www.ctvnews.ca

an interview with Newstalk 1010 on Monday, Ford said he asked U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick for a heads up on what Ontario could expect during a call last week but received no specifics.

“[Lutnick] said he didn’t know. Either he is blowing smoke or he really doesn’t know, and I think it is the latter. I think you are bang on. Sometimes Mr. Trump doesn’t know either. So let’s fasten our seatbelt and lets get ready,” Ford said.

I think Doug is on the money ,, Lutnick really doesn't know. I cannot think of any person in politics anwhere on the globe at present who's presentation is as totally incoherent as Lutnicks'.. He is the quintessential Gobbledegook Man , togged up in a suit, and shoved in front of a microphone. I can't help but believe he was chosen by Trump for that very quality.. a man who can talk a mile a minute and say nothing.

 

[Charlot123]

For starters, Greenland is not completely autonomous. No matter what Trump and Vance try to portray. You are right when you say that it takes some time to unwind all of their nonsense ... though they keep repeating it, so some are believing it.


Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark but has wide-ranging autonomy, which was extended in 2009. However, this does not include foreign and security policy or currency policy.

Also .... "geopolitically the island is part of Europe."

https://www.norden.org/en/information/facts-about-greenland

Would that be comparable to Tahiti and France? Tahiti is a semi-autonomy with own government but also voted in French elections for Macron, for example. A semi-autonomy has way more rights than a colony or a geographically distant part of the country, and the connection is usually economy-based, tbh.

 

[Lyanna]

And also have to wonder how much of these dealings are ‘on the record’ and vetted. IMO. MOO

The million dollar question.
Literally

Jmo, moo

 

[Charlot123]

Denmark has spelled it out for the USA government, and the same comment applies to Canada.

The USA is welcome to buy resources from Greenland and Canada, even welcome to position strategic military in the area. There's little that the USA cannot have through negotiation with Greenland and Canada. There is no reason to threaten invasion and to overthrow NATO country governments, so why is the USA stating that it has to own Greenland and Canada?

I think the answer is obvious. The USA has to buy resources from Canada and Greenland, but the country is broke, so rather than negotiate a fair deal - which is how NATO and Democracy work, the USA wants to steal the resource rich land.

"Danish Prime MInister Helle Thorning-Schmidt says that "Greenland belongs to the Inuit and Greenlandic people" and that it is part of the "Kingdom of Denmark".
...

"I am sure that the Greenlandic people would appreciate cooperating with the Americans in Greenland, also on economic issues. So please sit down at the negotiating table," she says.
...

In the interview, Helle Thorning-Schimdt also mentions that nothing prevents the United States from becoming further militarily involved and establishing more bases in Greenland, if desired by the American side. Such an initiative, she believes, would be supported by both the Greenlandic and Danish populations.

So the irony is that there is very little that the Americans cannot have in Greenland right now without talking about taking over Greenland, says Helle Thorning-Schmidt."

LIVEBLOG Siumut fastholder positionen i Qeqqata: - Vi er taknemlige og stolte

Kommunalvalget er tirsdag i fuld gang, og Sermitsiaq dækker det her i livebloggen. Følg med her.

www.sermitsiaq.ag

Sometimes you can even negotiate to pay back in a product, or offer to make a joint venture, because i think we all understand why we still may have common interests with Canada. But sadly, both a former real estate developer and a former hillbilly never went to a finishing school.

 

[Trooper]

Would that be comparable to Tahiti and France? Tahiti is a semi-autonomy with own government but also voted in French elections for Macron, for example. A semi-autonomy has way more rights than a colony or a geographically distant part of the country, and the connection is usually economy-based, tbh.

French Polynesia - Islands, Society, Government | Britannica

French Polynesia - Islands, Society, Government: French Polynesia has greater autonomy than many other French possessions. Its legal status is that of an overseas country, which entails greater independence than that of an overseas department or territory. The constitution provides for a...

www.britannica.com

''''' French Polynesia has greater autonomy than many other French possessions. Its legal status is that of an overseas country, which entails greater independence than that of an overseas department or territory. The constitution provides for a unicameral legislature, the French Polynesia Assembly, which is elected by universal adult suffrage and chooses the country’s president from among its members. The head of state is the French president, represented by a high commissioner appointed by the French government.'''''

( France, currently, has 13 overseas territories.. for want of a better word... French Guiana; French West Indies (Guadeloupe and Martinique); Réunion; French Polynesia; New Caledonia; St Pierre and Miquelon; French Southern and Antarctic Lands; and Wallis and Futuna Islands. Associated with the EU through various agreements. But of them all, Tahiti has the greater autonomy... more than the others, I don't know why or how!! but it is how it is ) >.

 

[Charlot123]

French Polynesia - Islands, Society, Government | Britannica

French Polynesia - Islands, Society, Government: French Polynesia has greater autonomy than many other French possessions. Its legal status is that of an overseas country, which entails greater independence than that of an overseas department or territory. The constitution provides for a...

www.britannica.com

''''' French Polynesia has greater autonomy than many other French possessions. Its legal status is that of an overseas country, which entails greater independence than that of an overseas department or territory. The constitution provides for a unicameral legislature, the French Polynesia Assembly, which is elected by universal adult suffrage and chooses the country’s president from among its members. The head of state is the French president, represented by a high commissioner appointed by the French government.'''''

( France, currently, has 13 overseas territories.. for want of a better word... French Guiana; French West Indies (Guadeloupe and Martinique); Réunion; French Polynesia; New Caledonia; St Pierre and Miquelon; French Southern and Antarctic Lands; and Wallis and Futuna Islands. Associated with the EU through various agreements. But of them all, Tahiti has the greater autonomy... more than the others, I don't know why or how!! but it is how it is ) >.

JMO, it was too poor, too far and hence, France had less interest in holding on to it. I think it is really the issue of, who benefits more? I think geostrategically, being in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and almost on the equator might matter, but the Arctic is more important. As to the rest, it is the question of industry. Which for Tahiti is tourism (more attractive to both Pacific coasts). Tahitians do have an industry now, Pacific pearls, single-handedly created by a Chinese Tahitian, Mr. Robert Wan. But otherwise, there is not much. So I think the independence comes from "what do we lose if it splits off?" France surely went to war for its Northern African colonies.
But at least, I can imagine the independence of Greenland from Denmark if I compare it to Tahiti and France, for example. Is it more, less or the same? Geostrategically it is perfectly placed and as long as there are rare metals and oil (*or rare metals do not get discovered elsewhere*), it is of value and seriously, you can't take it away from Denmark.

 

[Trooper]

JMO, it was too poor, too far and hence, France had less interest in holding on to it. I think it is really the issue of, who benefits more? I think geostrategically, being in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and almost on the equator might matter, but the Arctic is more important. As to the rest, it is the question of industry. Which for Tahiti is tourism (more attractive to both Pacific coasts). Tahitians do have an industry now, Pacific pearls, single-handedly created by a Chinese Tahitian, Mr. Robert Wan. But otherwise, there is not much. So I think the independence comes from "what do we lose if it splits off?" France surely went to war for its Northern African colonies.
But at least, I can imagine the independence of Greenland from Denmark if I compare it to Tahiti and France, for example. Is it more, less or the same? Geostrategically it is perfectly placed and as long as there are rare metals and oil (*or rare metals do not get discovered elsewhere*), it is of value and seriously, you can't take it away from Denmark.

For the French, Tahiti has as much standing, as much French citizenship, rights, obligations, etc, as Tours, or Lyon, or Deauville, or Nancy, or Toulouse, or oh ... I could go on and on. It is regarded as a French Departement, exactly as any Parisian suburb, as any French city, or town, or district.. It has representation in the Elysee, the French parliament. ( Tahiti sends two parliamentarians, elected in Tahiti )..

Greenland has something similar, although much much older in tradition , in settlement, in attachment to Denmark, it goes back to the 14th century, and has continued without break ever since. Which is 3 centuries more than the French in Polynesia. France still has an outpost in North Africa, Djibouti, a French Foreign Legion base, but it steers clear of much of Africa , after Burkino Faso removed the French....

The tyranny of distance is the overriding factor, as you point out.. For the French, maintaining Tahiti is a matter of pride and sensibility, no matter the cost, for the Danes, Greenland is family. Old established blood tie family, and that is a hard one to sever, particularly as neither wants to do that. That does not look like changing any time soon. There is no reason for the Danes to change it's perspective of Greenland, and it seems the appetite for separation is rather muted at the moment from the Greenlanders,.. not surprisingly.

Trump will have to go to war, in all it's madness, because it is not something the Danes, or the Greenlanders will give up voluntarily . Any fool could see that a mile off.

 

[otto]

Predictably, Trump has declared that he's looking to violate the constitution and remain supreme leader of the USA for more than 2 terms.

"Donald Trump has said he is "not joking" about wanting to serve a third term as US president.
...

They argue that the 22nd Amendment only explicitly bans someone being "elected" to more than two presidential terms - and says nothing of "succession".

Under this theory, Trump could be the vice-presidential running-mate to another candidate - perhaps his own vice-president, JD Vance - in the 2028 election.

If they win, the candidate could be sworn into the White House and then immediately resign - letting Trump take over by succession."

... the Constitution's 12th Amendment says "no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of president shall be eligible to that of vice-president of the United States".

That means serving two terms in office disqualifies anyone from running as a vice-presidential candidate, in his view.

March 31, 2025

Can Trump serve a third term as US president?

Donald Trump is selling "Trump 2028" caps, and he's suggested there may be a loophole to the two-term limit.

www.bbc.com

 

[Trooper]

For those who may be interested in Greenland, and Denmark, and their relationship one to the other, one of the very few books ever written about Greenlanders, in English, ( it was translated from the Danish ) , and also a terrific detective story as well, this is worth a read..

Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg. ​

You can get it from your local library, probably as in interlibrary loan, since it was published in 1992...

 

[Charlot123]

Predictably, Trump has declared that he's looking to violate the constitution and remain supreme leader of the USA for more than 2 terms.

"Donald Trump has said he is "not joking" about wanting to serve a third term as US president.
...

They argue that the 22nd Amendment only explicitly bans someone being "elected" to more than two presidential terms - and says nothing of "succession".

Under this theory, Trump could be the vice-presidential running-mate to another candidate - perhaps his own vice-president, JD Vance - in the 2028 election.

If they win, the candidate could be sworn into the White House and then immediately resign - letting Trump take over by succession."

... the Constitution's 12th Amendment says "no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of president shall be eligible to that of vice-president of the United States".

That means serving two terms in office disqualifies anyone from running as a vice-presidential candidate, in his view.

March 31, 2025

Can Trump serve a third term as US president?

Donald Trump is selling "Trump 2028" caps, and he's suggested there may be a loophole to the two-term limit.

www.bbc.com

But then again, the first answer I read yesterday was, "so, then we can have Obama?" Because, truly, it either applies or it doesn't.

We have two Houses. Which by now should wake up. IMHO.

 

[Lyanna]

Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Establishes the United States Investment Accelerator

ACCELERATING INVESTMENT INTO AMERICA’S ECONOMY: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order establishing the United States Investment

www.whitehouse.gov

 

[otto]

Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Establishes the United States Investment Accelerator

ACCELERATING INVESTMENT INTO AMERICA’S ECONOMY: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order establishing the United States Investment

www.whitehouse.gov

Quote from same link ... Not sure I understand, but does it mean that investors have to have $1 billion, and then they can invest in project that bypass regulation, environmental law, wildlife protection areas, and more to drill-baby-drill?

• The Order establishes an office within the Department of Commerce named the United States Investment Accelerator, meant to facilitate and accelerate investments above $1 billion in the United States.
• The Investment Accelerator will encourage companies to make large investments in the United States by: (1) reducing regulatory burdens; (2) speeding up permitting; (3) coordinating responses to investor issues across multiple Federal agencies; (4) increasing access to national resources; (5) facilitating collaboration with national laboratories; and (6) working with all 50 state governments and their economic development organizations, in each case according to applicable law.

 

[Charlot123]

For the French, Tahiti has as much standing, as much French citizenship, rights, obligations, etc, as Tours, or Lyon, or Deauville, or Nancy, or Toulouse, or oh ... I could go on and on. It is regarded as a French Departement, exactly as any Parisian suburb, as any French city, or town, or district.. It has representation in the Elysee, the French parliament. ( Tahiti sends two parliamentarians, elected in Tahiti )..

Greenland has something similar, although much much older in tradition , in settlement, in attachment to Denmark, it goes back to the 14th century, and has continued without break ever since. Which is 3 centuries more than the French in Polynesia. France still has an outpost in North Africa, Djibouti, a French Foreign Legion base, but it steers clear of much of Africa , after Burkino Faso removed the French....

The tyranny of distance is the overriding factor, as you point out.. For the French, maintaining Tahiti is a matter of pride and sensibility, no matter the cost, for the Danes, Greenland is family. Old established blood tie family, and that is a hard one to sever, particularly as neither wants to do that. That does not look like changing any time soon. There is no reason for the Danes to change it's perspective of Greenland, and it seems the appetite for separation is rather muted at the moment from the Greenlanders,.. not surprisingly.

Trump will have to go to war, in all it's madness, because it is not something the Danes, or the Greenlanders will give up voluntarily . Any fool could see that a mile off.

But here is the thing. The Congress has to vote for the war. Then the Senate. We had one bad situation, in 2002, when almost every congressman had to excuse himself later for their votes. (And maybe that, too, cost Hillary Clinton the election. Definitely didn't help. Sanders, who voted "nay", later got the name of "the person voting with his heart.")

 

[Trooper]

As the sands in the hourglass run, so the days of our lives go on.......

US, China raise the stakes in Panama Canal ports row

Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison in March sold 43 ports in 23 countries. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

www.straitstimes.com

HONG KONG - China’s fury at the sale of Panama Canal ports to a US-led consortium reflects how container hubs have become prized currency as Beijing and Washington vie for global influence, analysts say.

Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison in March sold 43 ports in 23 countries – including operations in the vital Central American canal – to a group led by giant asset manager BlackRock for US$19 billion (S$25 billion) in cash.

After two weeks of rhetoric, Beijing hardened its response on March 28 and confirmed that antitrust regulators will review the deal, likely preventing the parties from signing an agreement on April 2 as planned.
Speaking before the review was announced, experts told AFP that the deal allowed US President Donald Trump to claim credit for “taking back” the canal as part of his “America First” agenda.

“The US (created) a political issue at China’s expense and then has been able to declare victory,” said Mr Kurt Tong, managing partner at The Asia Group and a former top US diplomat to Hong Kong.

“That doesn’t feel good in Beijing.”


( things go a bit awry when Beijing 'doesn't feel good'.... )

 

[Lyanna]

Quote from same link ... Not sure I understand, but does it mean that investors have to have $1 billion, and then they can invest in project that bypass regulation, environmental law, wildlife protection areas, and more to drill-baby-drill?

• The Order establishes an office within the Department of Commerce named the United States Investment Accelerator, meant to facilitate and accelerate investments above $1 billion in the United States.
• The Investment Accelerator will encourage companies to make large investments in the United States by: (1) reducing regulatory burdens; (2) speeding up permitting; (3) coordinating responses to investor issues across multiple Federal agencies; (4) increasing access to national resources; (5) facilitating collaboration with national laboratories; and (6) working with all 50 state governments and their economic development organizations, in each case according to applicable law.

Idk, but sort of has to be, when looking at the last section and the private investors bit?

Moo
dbm - made sense in my head just not typed out

 

[Vern]

This just reminded me of a song - “Who’s Crying Now”

Not Canada.

 

[Herat]

As the sands in the hourglass run, so the days of our lives go on.......

US, China raise the stakes in Panama Canal ports row

Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison in March sold 43 ports in 23 countries. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

www.straitstimes.com

HONG KONG - China’s fury at the sale of Panama Canal ports to a US-led consortium reflects how container hubs have become prized currency as Beijing and Washington vie for global influence, analysts say.

Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison in March sold 43 ports in 23 countries – including operations in the vital Central American canal – to a group led by giant asset manager BlackRock for US$19 billion (S$25 billion) in cash.

After two weeks of rhetoric, Beijing hardened its response on March 28 and confirmed that antitrust regulators will review the deal, likely preventing the parties from signing an agreement on April 2 as planned.
Speaking before the review was announced, experts told AFP that the deal allowed US President Donald Trump to claim credit for “taking back” the canal as part of his “America First” agenda.

“The US (created) a political issue at China’s expense and then has been able to declare victory,” said Mr Kurt Tong, managing partner at The Asia Group and a former top US diplomat to Hong Kong.

“That doesn’t feel good in Beijing.”


( things go a bit awry when Beijing 'doesn't feel good'.... )

I've been watching this. China does not want CK Hutchinson Conglomerate ( the Hong Kong family conglomerate) to sell the two large Panama ports to the US owned Blackrock, Inc. company, along with 43 other ports around the world. China is all about shipping trade, clearly, and would prefer not to lose political control over the ports, especially not to a company that Trump wishes he owned.

It was predictable that the sale would get stalled by China.

 

[Vern]

This is a good example of why reading DM is not good for your mental health. It requires a substantial suspension of intelligence and your good common sense.

Greenland would be wise to remember what this very thread is actually about.

Canada had a Free & Fair Trade Agreement with the United States of America. The USMCA. That agreement was negotiated by, and signed into effect by President Donald J. Trump in 2020. Absolutely ZERO within that negotiated agreement was changed ... until Trump himself forgot he negotiated & signed it. So he breached it. "Deals" and diplomacy mean diddly squat to him or his regime as evidencd by the fact he didn't even bother to ask Canada to renegotiate that agreement.

Greenland: Don't trust TRUMP - he is and always will be a convicted FELON, a liar, an obnoxious dictator-in-the-making who do not giveth an iota about you, me, anyone else who's not a billionaire or the average American or what is "fair".

If he can do what he did to his own country on January 6th 2021, just slam the door firmly in his face exactly as you did with Vance. Lest you too be pillaged and plundered. Just like Canada and Ukraine, he actually wants to "own" it all ... and is not seeking to actually buy any of it. Full up crooked crook.

IMO.

 

[Kemug]

Trump and Vance are playing with fear-mongering that works so well in the USA, but I doubt Greenlanders are that gullible.

The Russians are coming!!! The Chinese are coming!!! Run, hide. Denmark is failing you, Denmark hasn't looked after you. Denmark cannot protect you, they are bad, unfair, nasty.

The USA is going to save Greenlanders from the Russians, the Chinese and that nasty Kingdom of Denmark.

As usual, the USA has no understanding of other cultures.

But they may at long last be learning some geography!

 

[Herat]

For those who may be interested in Greenland, and Denmark, and their relationship one to the other, one of the very few books ever written about Greenlanders, in English, ( it was translated from the Danish ) , and also a terrific detective story as well, this is worth a read..

Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg. ​

You can get it from your local library, probably as in interlibrary loan, since it was published in 1992...

I remember this under the title of Smilla's Sense of Snow