Canadians are feeling an undeniable sense of betrayal after Trump declared a trade war against America’s northern neighbor and longtime ally. Trump keeps threatening Canada’s sovereignty and and vowing to put sweeping 25% tariffs on Canadian products, though Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday afternoon the tariffs will be postponed by at least 30 days after he promised more cooperation on the border.

In Canada, discussion and disapproval are everywhere. Canadian hockey fans have even been booing the American national anthem at recent National Hockey League games. Addressing the nation this past weekend, Trudeau channeled the betrayal that many Canadians are feeling, reminding Americans that Canadian troops fought alongside them in Afghanistan and helped respond to myriad crises from wildfires in California to Hurricane Katrina. “We were always there standing with you, grieving with you, the American people,” he said.

The Canadian jitters, some worry, could go beyond the moment. “The damage is going to be long-lasting,” said Robert Bothwell, a professor of Canadian history and international relations at the University of Toronto. “The Americans won’t be trusted anymore. The 51st state stuff is just contemptuous. It treats Canada like we don’t even exist.”

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  • wise_pancake@lemmy.ca
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    18 hours ago

    I’m pretty sure Canada exists because in two wars the Americans couldn’t take and hold it.

    I think you’ll find that Canadians are good friends and fierce enemies. We’d rather go without and rebuild our economy from scratch than lose our sovereignty and country.

    I don’t think Canada needs you as much as you think, I think that got really clear this weekend when the entire country organized quickly and Trump backed off.

      • wise_pancake@lemmy.ca
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        18 hours ago

        but why bother when you can sell to your neighbors with way less effort and overhead?

        That’s generally my point as well. Except this time Trump’s been going on for over a month saying he should annex us and then doing bullshit like trying to make this trade impossible.

        Also three days ago Trump said there was nothing canada could do. He’s a terrible business partner not worth appeasing.