The sombre mien—that’s what stayed with me. On Saturday, Mark Carney looked less like a prime minister briefing media on trade negotiations than a wartime leader telling his country a feared turn had finally arrived and preparing them for a long ordeal. The intense, all-out effort to stop crushing new tariffs had failed, with Carney grimly explaining that the United States insists on “short-term transactions” rather than “long-term partnerships” and that its commitments could no longer be assumed to hold.
American demands reportedly went well beyond tariffs, market access, and sectoral protections. They targeted Canada’s freedom to set domestic cultural policy, interpret agreements it had already signed, and conduct trade relations with third countries. The loss of our sovereignty was too high a price for preserving economic integration. What prime minister would accept Canada becoming a vassal state on his watch? With the collapse of talks, and Carney describing the country as being “attacked,” it’s hard not to feel like we have crossed into a different moment—that we are living in a slightly darker reality.
Throughout the weekend, The Walrus spoke to economists, policy experts, and political observers about what exactly has changed and what this new period might demand of Canada.
Export tariffs on energy and any other vital US need. This makes money for Canada instead of costing Canadians.
That'd disincentivize them from buying Canadian.
I suppose we could charge a carbon tax, though—say maybe $1000 a metric ton—maybe <90¢ a liter.
CANCEL right fucking now all US defense purchases especially F35. F35s are pure shit. US must be made to beg for a deal that includes restoring commitments. Response that a fucking dime will be spent on US weapons is unacceptable gaslighting of Canadians.
We don't need overpriced American-military-industrial-complex crap.
Build nukes. Tell Trump and his MAGAts that the deaths:dollar ratios are almost irresistible.
Open invitation for US states to join as full provinces.
I oppose the monarchy and the Canadian political system. Maybe refer to Newsom as "The President of California."
Directly threated US exporters/tech ... is how you negotiate.
a bicycle for every Canadian; allow even smaller cars on the roads.
Nazi/Zionazi empire ... polite nazi colony status.
Israel needs the US; the US doesn't need Israel. This is even more the case with Canada.
UBI is key to huge economic growth/investment in Canada, abandoning nazi economics. Removing foreign worker ban is key to reducing inflation, while keeping housing sector stable/increasing.
possible migration deals with Mexico, Australia, UK, EU, EFTA, and Turkey.
Better diplomatic relations with every US adversary/enemy. North Korea can assist in a nuclear deterence plan against more US bs. DPRK balance can assist in ROK auto industry investments in Canada.
The Kim gang are buddies with Trump.
Better to make nuke deals with India, and if they aren't interested, then Pakistan.
Abandoning support for Ukrainian nazis in favour of closer Russia ties.
Trump is pro-Putin.
Путін — хуйло!
Слава Україні!
Reduce protection on so-called "intellectual property" to 28 years.
What are the Americans going to do? Tariff records made in Canada?