Trump Presidency

[clakclak]

Besides, there was zero reason for these tariffs, ZERO.

The claim is that imposition of tariffs on Canada and Mexico, will force those countries to put more efforts into stopping illegal border crossings and force them to also do more to prevent fentanyl and illegal drugs coming into the US. Apparently, Trump things that those two countries are not doing enough in these regards. Trump also complains that those two countries have unfair trade practices. I don't know anything much about that.

Trump wants to see conservative governments in Mexico and Canada. He may think that these actions will cause Canadians to reject liberals and vote in leaders more in line with his views. Canadians already seem to be on the cusp of rejecting liberals, so probably there is no outside encouragement needed. I'm guessing the next PM of Canada will fit in very well with Trump and company.

So the conservative Canadian candidate Pierre Poilievre who is more than likely to be the next PM gave an interview today.

Here is what he said:

1. America are friends

2. America is currently getting a great deal on energy, because the previous government was dumb and did not export gas and oil to other countries, thus allowing America cheap access to energy (implies that is about to change)

3. We are friends and have the same enemies, remember 9/11

4. Why the f*** do you put 10% on China and 25% on us? Fentanyl does come from China not Canada, we should work together on that

5. "We must maximise the impact on American companies and minimise the impact on Canadian consumers and buisnesses"/"[We need to] get our products to overseas markets, without going through and profiting the United States" [Given that we are talking Energy here, I assume the most likely possible overseas market will be Europe which has a big need for Energy, especially with the current ongoing Ukraine war.]

6. A bunch of internal political stuff, very important to Canada, but not soooo important to the discussion about Canadian/American relationships, the interview is linked above if you want to watch it.

Overall the interview seemed to indicate a wish for more autonomy and less reliance on America, reduced imports and diversified exports. Over all he gave more of a neo-con vibe than of a staunch protectionist like Trump. Sure he also talks about bringing profits and production home, but does not seem willing to take as radical steps to do so as Trump is.

[Observe]

Around 60 senior officials at USAID were placed on administrative leave last week. This action was taken in response to allegations that these officials attempted to circumvent President Trump's executive order which imposed a 90-day freeze on most U.S. foreign aid. This was done by acting USAID administrator Jason Gray, who cited actions within USAID that "appeared to be designed to circumvent" Trump's executive orders.

Given that USAID is already refusing to carry out Trump's orders, it is no wonder that DOGE (Musk) is wanting to examine that department with a fine-tooth comb. It is possible that Musk will recommend closing USAID altogether and laying off the 10,000 or so employees. There is talk of merging USAID with the State Department. Consolidation seems to be one of the goals of DOGE.

[fiksal]

Trump wants to see conservative governments in Mexico and Canada

well then best everyone can do is to do the opposite, isn't it?

on plus side, conservative views in Canada seem more like center/liberal ones in US.

Quebec announced removal of US liquor. A welcome step, don't return it back

[burger1]

Seems pretty obvious Trump is paving the way/setting the narrative to invade Canada. Need to seriously look at MAD plans. Attacking Russia/China to provoke a nuclear launch/war, building our own mad weapons, buddying up with China (could probably have nuclear weapons and military here in well under a day), etc... Tariffs won't work and 80-90% of Canadians don't want to be part of the US since they don't have the same values especially now. Everyone is putting tariffs on the US now. The more tariffs the US puts up the better other countries get vs the US. The last great depression started in a similar way. Tariffs are still lower than then but not by much. Seems like Trump is anti american long term and is going to wreck the country.

Switching governments while the voting system is clearly compromised is nuts. The conservative leader is basically Maga and a fanatic.

[fiksal]

attacking Canada will go worse than attacking Ukraine.

but there's no shortage of stupid people

[Incubi]

He would need congress support for a war with any of our neighbors. And he won't get it. There are 215 democrats and 220 republicans filling the seats in congress. And not every republican in congress is a fan of the orange megalomaniac. Only congress can declare war. With that said in 2026 all congress seats are up for grabs and 33 seats of the senate. In my opinion, the 2026 elections are going to be one of the most important ones in American history. And the time to talk about that is now.

[burger1]

Trumps already doing things that congress needs to approve. System doesn't work that way anymore.

[mr.WHO]

He would need congress support for a war with any of our neighbors. And he won't get it. There are 215 democrats and 220 republicans filling the seats in congress. And not every republican in congress is a fan of the orange megalomaniac. Only congress can declare war. With that said in 2026 all congress seats are up for grabs and 33 seats of the senate. In my opinion, the 2026 elections are going to be one of the most important ones in American history. And the time to talk about that is now.

You forget that you don't have to declare war these days - "Special Operation" was in fashion long before Ukraine.

[clakclak]

So, I have a question. We have been talking a lot about intentions here, about why Trump might be doing that. But what if he is doing all this simply out of a lack of understanding how anything works? By that I do not mean that he thinks doing this will bring industry back to America, I mean it on a far more basic level. He just said:

“It’s been a one-way street. We subsidize Canada to the tune of about $200 billion a year. And for what? What do we get out of it? We don’t get anything out of it." [...] "They owe us a lot of money, and I'm sure they're going to pay."

What if he really does not understand that a trade deficit does not mean you are just giving money to anyother country, but that you also get goods in return? What if he really does not understand that the money here pays for goods and services and is not a gift to Canada? That would explain why he feels that America is being taken advantage off. We have talked a lot about him being malicious and isolationist, what if he is simply really stupid, dumber than even we assumed him to be?

Source for the quote:

Sentence 1: https://thehill.com/homenews/administra ... g-tariffs/

Sentence 2: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/poli ... 169171007/

[burger1]

He really is stupid. Ironically he's not doing well mentally and would be considered a dei hire.

The main reason for the deficit is Canadian oil. The US is not energy independent since it can't use most of the oil it produces due to it's type. So they buy Canadian oil and sell their oil to other countries. They recoup the cost of what they buy from the the extra they sell since they can't use it. The books just don't look that way. Any which way the US needs to buy oil they can refine and use from someone.

The US is the worlds largest oil exporter.

The US can use up their own resources and eliminate the deficit if they want it will just take time and be worse for the US environmentally. Not sure if lumber products would even work with sustainability.

[alt3rn1ty]

What if he really does not understand ~...~ what if he is simply really stupid, dumber than even we assumed him to be?

During his last period of being President, wasn't there a bit of investigation going on about his college results, and he managed to bury whatever could have been found?

[chew-ie]

Some good advice IMHO: Europeans on democracy’s frontlines offer advice to Americans: never give up (guardian.com)

[matthewfarmery]

Well, Trump is going to start imposing tarrifs on the EU real soon. I'm sure that will work out right for the US. This will destabilise both America and the rest of the world. Again shear madness from a full blown dictator.

Clearly congress has been pushed aside, wouldn't put it past Trump to dissolve congress for all the good its doing now. Like I said, dark days are coming. And they are only going to get darker.

I'm expecting the markets to tank, if that happens, will the billionaires rush in to stop this madness? or will they just cash out? Clearly, none of Trump's staff will step in, so will it be up to the rich and powerful to step in? (before they too lose their shirts once things go bad)

Edit

This is what is worrying about Musk

More from Josh Marshall:

Who are these guys? They’re generally between 19 and 24 years of age, often college dropouts who left to go into tech and various kinds of algorithmic financial trading, in most cases interns at Thiel’s or Musk’s companies, at least one “Thiel fellow.”

In other words, hard right, techno-red-pilled bros, who now have access to things like your social security checks (whether you get them or not), your financial and, likely in some cases, medical records and at least the ability to shut down whole sections of the federal government at will by simply turning off their funding spigots.

https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/mu ... -green-men

Edit 2

Musk Is Halting Treasury Payments to Contractors

Elon Musk said his “DOGE team” of government efficiency enforcers is shutting down payments to federal contractors, suggesting that the world’s richest man may have access to sensitive systems used at the US Treasury Department, Bloomberg reports.

Said Musk: “The corruption and waste is being rooted out in real-time.”

That simply can't be legal. So basically, he is again shutting down a part of government that will effect a lot of people. the fallout from this will be huge. I don't see how every contractor will be wasteful. Sure I would say that some will be, but not all. Musk is freezing America as we speak.

This is a hostile take over, a coup by any other name.

[fiksal]

I wonder if I am the only person thinking, that Northern States may want to rethink their allegiance to what's unfolding

[matthewfarmery]

I wonder if I am the only person thinking, that Northern States may want to rethink their allegiance to what's unfolding

Put it this way, if your going to invade a country, what is the easiest way to do that? Lets say for example,Musk is another puppet of Putin. And he told Musk, I want you to do whatever it takes to bring down America. Get close to my other puppet Trump, help him win, then get him to give you the keys to the kingdom. After that you will have free reign to take a wrecking ball to destory vital areas that make America function. Shut all that down. And America, my greatest enemy will be crippled. Won't be able to stand on one leg, let alone two.

Does that theory work for anyone? To me, this is probably close to whatever is happening. With people's personal data also at Musk's fingertips, he could use that to be sold to the highest bidder. or to bribe the right people. Or perhaps it someone from China who might have said something similar to Musk. But whichever way I see it, unless congress acts, America will be crippled full stop and there won't be anything that America can do about it, before both China and Russia fills the vacuum.

On top of that, American allies will be against America. it will stand alone and will be easy pickings. Again sounds familiar?

Also, as I suspected, the markets have reacted badly due to the trade war. and will very likely sink even farther.

[matthewfarmery]

Again Observe, I don't know why you seem to be defendioing Musk, he was not appointed or confirmed by the senate.

Let’s be crystal clear about what’s happening: A private citizen with zero Constitutional authority is effectively seizing control of critical government functions. The Constitution explicitly requires Senate confirmation for anyone wielding significant federal power — a requirement Musk has simply ignored as he installs his loyalists throughout the government while demanding access to basically all of the levers of power, and pushing out anyone who stands in his way.

More details:

https://www.techdirt.com/2025/01/31/elo ... dangerous/

So again, Musk has no power to do the things he is doing, but Trump has given him the keys to the kingdom. and Musk is wrecking many years of American systems. Musk is not legally allowed to anything like the level he is doing. Wake up America, and put this facist behind bars where he belongs.

[mr.WHO]

Recently Musk started using MEGA (Make Europe Great Again) term and he already provides - seem like Canada now explore making more trade ties with EU in response to tarrifs. Some even say that technically Canada could ask for EU meberships.

Trully MEGA 4D chess move - thanks Elon!

Edit: oh and with Canada in, Greenland could become full EU territory as well (instead of quasi-outside of EU territory).

[chew-ie]

Edit: oh and with Canada in, Greenland could become full EU territory as well (instead of quasi-outside of EU territory).

Fiendish

[matthewfarmery]

Looks like Trump has put a pause on Mexico's tariffs, when Mexico threaten the US with troops on the border. LOL. But there are still tariffs in place with Canada, and Trump is saying he will only remove those tariffs if Canada becomes the USA 51 first state.

But still Trump is so full of BS.

[fiksal]

I wonder if I am the only person thinking, that Northern States may want to rethink their allegiance to what's unfolding

Put it this way, if your going to invade a country, what is the easiest way to do that? Lets say for example,Musk is another puppet of Putin. And he told Musk,

You are right. If there's agenda beyond just stupidity, draining money and some kind of fascism, yep, that could be it.

Even lets say attack on Greenland or Canada would trigger some kind of article 5 response, fracturing NATO. Basically a win condition for Russia.


We have so much clean up to do when dust settles.