# The United States Declares Economic War on Canada **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [February 1, 2025, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734 "2025-02-01T21:16:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 33
**Author:** ![Mallard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Mallard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mallard)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2025, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/641 "2025-03-06T04:29:45Z")
> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > > [@RickJay](#): > > > > Trump has been known to back down, but last time he did, it was before tariffs were raised. Now they’re on. He’s not going to be quick to back down now; even he knows he’ll look weak unless he gets some enormous win. The point is annexation. > > I think Trump is intending on blatantly influencing the Canadian elections this year, at some point **he’ll offer to ease the tariffs and back off the encroachment if the Canadian people elect the candidate he likes.** That would be Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre for prime minister, however, more recent polls are less certain that he will win the sweeping majority he appeared to be headed for just a few weeks ago. Poilievre comes across like an angry man, a “Trump Light”. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2025, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/642 "2025-03-06T10:18:38Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > and apparently has two legs, not four. Also lacks fur and has an incredibly inferior sense of smell. Sounds like the worst dog ever. ---
**Author:** ![velomont](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8491ac/32.png) [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2025, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/643 "2025-03-06T15:12:23Z")
A question about boycotts. We have Home Depot and Costco, Amazon warehouses, among many other US companies up here, and there are tons of them. At the same time they are obviously all staffed by locals. So, for the Canadians out there, how are you approaching this? We could boycott those businesses, and cause the layoffs of a huge number of Canadians, or not boycott them and save those jobs. Thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![orcenio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orcenio/32/1036_2.png) [@orcenio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orcenio)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2025, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/644 "2025-03-06T15:16:17Z")
Ideally your purchasing power is being shifted from a US based company to a local one. Thus there will be a balancing for local jobs and businesses not a loss. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2025, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/645 "2025-03-06T15:22:39Z")
If all of Home Depot’s business moves to Rona, then Rona is going to be hiring a lot. Insofar as you’re moving your purchases rather than decreasing them, employment in retail should remain more or less even, albeit distributed differently across different stores. I don’t intend an absolute boycott, but just shift purchasing patterns as much as practicable. Preference for Canadian-source goods over non-US imports over US imports. Preference for Canadian-owned retailers over US-owned retailers. If I need a particular product and it comes from the States, I’m still going to buy it. Probably. And I wouldn’t see a problem with making specific exceptions. Costco, for example, is by comparison to almost all retailers, a model citizen. If you think Costco is more worthy of your patronage than Loblaws, even now, I’d be very hard pressed to make a coherent argument against that view. ---
**Author:** ![velomont](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8491ac/32.png) [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2025, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/646 "2025-03-06T16:06:08Z")
> [@Gorsnak](#): > > If all of Home Depot’s business moves to Rona Isn’t Rona owned by Lowe? Please correct me if I’m wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2025, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/647 "2025-03-06T16:19:11Z")
Lowe’s is leaving the Canadian market, existing Lowe’s stores are rebranding to Rona, but I now see that they didn’t do this by spinning off Rona as a Canadian subsidiary but rather by selling it to a private equity firm out of New York. Somehow I had it in my head that a Canadian group had taken over. So scratch that example, but the principle remains. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2025, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/648 "2025-03-06T16:19:51Z")
Not any longer… > In November 2022, Lowe’s agreed to sell its Canadian operations (including the Lowe’s-branded stores) to the American private equity firm [Sycamore Partners](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sycamore_Partners), which also operates, among other properties, [Staples Canada](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staples_Canada).[[6]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rona_(store)#cite_note-tgam-sycamore-6) Following the sale, Rona planned to convert the Lowe’s-branded stores to the Rona brand.[[18]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rona_(store)#cite_note-18) The sale was completed on February 3, 2023. But note that Rona is American-owned. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2025, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/649 "2025-03-06T16:37:53Z")
Home Hardware, however, is Canadian owned, still headquartered in St. Jacobs, ON. It has 1100 stores across Canada under the Home Hardware and related brands. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2025, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/650 "2025-03-06T16:51:28Z")
> [@Mallard](#): > > That would be Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre for prime minister, however, more recent polls are less certain that he will win the sweeping majority he appeared to be headed for just a few weeks ago. Poilievre comes across like an angry man, a “Trump Light”. Trump is a predator and a Russian asset. He has ill intent for Canada no matter who the Prime Minister is. ---
**Author:** ![JacobSwan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@JacobSwan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JacobSwan)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2025, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/651 "2025-03-06T16:58:11Z")
BBC is reporting that Mexico tariffs are to be suspended for a month. Just breaking news at the moment so no details. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2025, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/652 "2025-03-06T17:22:46Z")
CNN reports same for Canada most likely. Good job President Flip-flop-flip-flop! I hope Canada keeps the US whiskey off the shelves. > **[Trump delays tariffs on Mexico, and Lutnick says Canada will likely also get...](https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/06/economy/tariffs-delay-mexico-canada/index.html)** > > President Donald Trump on Thursday announced a one-month tariff delay on all products from Mexico that are covered by the USMCA free trade treaty, a significant walkback of the administration’s signature economic plan that has rattled markets,... ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2025, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/653 "2025-03-06T17:25:13Z")
This is stupid bullshit. I have many customers in manufacturing and can tell you that just the ongoing threat of this stuff is fucking them up. You cannot make decisions to run a business like this. Their American customers, believe me, are NOT on board with Trump. They want the damned rules back. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2025, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/654 "2025-03-06T17:39:12Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > I have relatives that have a rental house very near the Canadian border and it is a popular rental for Canadians. They have had 5 reservation cancellations in the last week. I’m not saying those cancellations are from Canadians, but that would be a good guess. Also, the relatives most likely voted for Trump. > > I wonder if the Bellingham Costco might get tolerable with lack of BC plates in the parking lot? Will it be noticeable? Looks like my wondering about that Costco is correct. Bellingham is noticing the impact. > **[WA seeing fewer Canadians after Trump, tariffs and talk of ‘51st state’](https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/mar/04/wa-seeing-fewer-canadians-after-trump-tariffs-and-/)** > > Fewer Canadians are coming to Washington. If trends continue, “it's going to massively impact us down here,” says a Bellingham hotelier. “We’re a border town.” ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2025, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/655 "2025-03-06T17:41:32Z")
I’ve posted it on other threads, but … if I may … How I’m seeing Trump’s general approach to governing and foreign policy: > Good night, Westley. Good work. Sleep well. I’ll most likely kill you in the morning. – [**The Princess Bride**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNzi2edJmfc) Does it ever yield results? Sure. And a blowtorch _can_ be an effective treatment for athlete’s foot. ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2025, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/656 "2025-03-06T17:47:05Z")
> [@Gorsnak](#): > > I don’t intend an absolute boycott, but just shift purchasing patterns as much as practicable. > > Preference for Canadian-source goods over non-US imports over US imports. > Preference for Canadian-owned retailers over US-owned retailers. Same here, with the exception that I will prefer Costco over Loblaw due to the Weston’s. > [@wolfpup](#): > > Home Hardware, however, is Canadian owned, still headquartered in St. Jacobs, ON. It has 1100 stores across Canada under the Home Hardware and related brands. They are one of my customers, just had a call with them. > [@RickJay](#): > > many customers in manufacturing and can tell you that just the ongoing threat of this stuff is fucking them up. You cannot make decisions to run a business like this. Same goes for IT projects. > [@DavidNRockies](#): > > How I’m seeing Trump’s general approach to governing and foreign policy: > > > Good night, Westley. Good work. Sleep well. I’ll most likely kill you in the morning. > > – [**The Princess Bride**](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNzi2edJmfc) Tariff? I don’t think that word mean what you think it mean. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2025, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/657 "2025-03-06T18:23:08Z")
At some point, Canadians will tire of taking the liquor off the shelves, putting it back on, taking it back off, putting it back on… but where we finally settle is going to be **off** the shelves, because the uncertainty and irrationality is not worth putting up with. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2025, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/658 "2025-03-06T18:31:00Z")
I’m pretty sure that American liquor is staying off the shelves regardless of what happens in the short term. The only thing that will bring it back is either a new president or a renewed free trade agreement. ---
**Author:** ![SunUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2025, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/659 "2025-03-06T18:43:04Z")
Paul Krugman made the same point a week ago: > **[Chaos Is Bad for Business](https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/surprise-chaos-is-bad-for-business)** > > Ignorance, megalomania and the economic future The meat of the argument: > Imagine yourself as the CEO of a U.S. company considering a range of possible investments, whose likely profitability depends on future federal policy. For example, some factories will be worth building if America honors the free trade pact with Canada and Mexico Trump himself signed in 2020, a minor revision of a free trade pact that took effect in 1994. > But those factories won’t be worth building if Trump rips up that agreement and imposes high tariffs at both our northern and southern borders. Instead, you’ll want to make defensive investments, designed to limit the damage of being cut off from Mexican and Canadian customers and suppliers. > So which investments will you make? A likely answer is, “None of them.” The rational thing, surely, is to hold off on big spending until, one hopes, there’s more clarity about policy. So, lousy for industry, fixed, long-term investments, and suchlike. But there is one group that can make money in an environment like this, a group I like to call “the financialiizers.” These folks are day traders, insiders, goldbugs, cryptobros and scammers to various degrees. These are people who, with the right kind of knowledge, can survive and even thrive in chaotic circumstances, as long as they know a little in advance how and when the tides are going to change. Donald Trump did some pump-and-dump work in the 90s, amassing a position, touting its virtues, and then selling into the wave of buyers convinced such a famous mogul could do no wrong, so he knows the territory. Could it be that Trump and his various hangers-on, political allies and such are financializing this chaos, and profiting while the average investor is taking it in the shorts? I’d love to have the data to be able to find out. > [@RickJay](#): > > Their American customers, believe me, are NOT on board with Trump. They want the damned rules back. I’m sure they’d like to get the tariff situation straightened away, but I can just about guarantee that they are on board with many other parts of Trump’s agenda - taxes, regulations, labor rights. If the tariff thing were resolved they’d be gaga for him. And what’s the easiest way to resolve the tariff thing? I mean, U.S. states can’t tariff one another… ---
**Author:** ![orcenio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/orcenio/32/1036_2.png) [@orcenio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orcenio)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2025, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/660 "2025-03-06T18:43:24Z")
The Federal government isn’t interested in any back and forth. They see the reasons (drugs) are flatly false and that Trump is only using them to secure these executive powers without any constitutional checks. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/QWKzzf4bUNU/maxresdefault.jpg "'It's not true that we will go through this psychodrama every 30 days': Minister Joly on trade war") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWKzzf4bUNU) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734.md?page=32) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734.md?page=34)