# 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:** 43
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2025, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/841 "2025-03-15T06:42:56Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > One of the reasons Canada is preferable is that we still remember the value in things other than dollars. > > Income alone tells part of the story. Services, that we buy with taxes, and art, which we subsidize with taxes, take dollars from our pockets and improve our lives. > > You should try it. I don’t disagree there are things that Canada has ‘more’ of that the US has ‘less’ of. I’m sure that Americans would be surprised that they didn’t have Art, though. Contrary to this thread, the US isn’t a desolate wasteland with roaming bands of mohawked thugs ala Road Warrior. Many find it a pretty pleasant place to live. There are a lot of snowbirds from Canada who’d agree. I sense quite a bit of “I’m Canadian, so I’m better” here. And while I applaud your use of other’s money via taxes to support your values, in the coming insurgency how many other people’s lives are you willing to sacrifice to maintain them, Lord Farquaad? Curious: Please tell me how I should try it? ---
**Author:** ![MacDoc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/macdoc/32/18696_2.png) [@MacDoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacDoc)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2025, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/842 "2025-03-15T07:29:25Z")
> [@MacDoc](#): > > GENIE Yes GINI 🤪 ---
**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 15, 2025, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/843 "2025-03-15T08:05:49Z")
> [@Uzi](#): > > I’m sure that Americans would be surprised that they didn’t have Art, though. They sure do, especially now that Trump has appointed himself chairman of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which will henceforth feature the outstanding works of celebrated artists like Ted Nugent and Kid Rock, or anyone wearing a comical cowboy hat who has sworn fealty to Trump. No more classical music or gay operas or shit like that, this is America! 🙄 In celebration of this new invigoration of the arts, practically half the leadership of the Kennedy Center has quit. ---
**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 15, 2025, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/844 "2025-03-15T08:05:56Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > As far as I know, Trump hasn’t had anyone killed. His actions have resulted in deaths, but that’s not the same thing from the perspective of his psychology. > **[Assassination of Qasem Soleimani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_Qasem_Soleimani)** > > Major insurgent attacks > Cross-border operations > Iranian–U.S. conflict This was pretty much a straight-up assassination, at Trump’s orders. ---
**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 15, 2025, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/845 "2025-03-15T08:13:59Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Or even going the opposite direction and nuking Toronto as a flex. Probably the worst target he could choose. Toronto is the heart of Canada’s finances, and far too much of our transportation infrastructure passes through it as a choke point. You’d destroy most of the wealth that Trump would be coveting. Ottawa is a better target. It’s the political capital, but doesn’t have a central role in the economy like Toronto. We’re also farther off the main transport routes, so you could work around the damage much easier. Also, nuking just the downtown core would accomplish 90% of your goals, and Ottawa’s downtown is pretty small. Even an old Hiroshima-type bomb could wipe it out, meaning there’d be far less damage to begin with. ---
**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 15, 2025, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/846 "2025-03-15T08:18:33Z")
> [@Uzi](#): > > So, the average American is better off than the average Canadian. Averages are misleading. On average, we may be “poorer”, but we have far fewer people in absolute poverty. I once took the trolley from downtown San Diego to the Mexican border. I had to re-evaluate my idea of what a “slum” was _five times_ on that trip. I never imagined there could be places _worse than a trailer park_. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2025, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/847 "2025-03-15T08:20:27Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > … or anyone wearing a comical cowboy hat who has sworn fealty to Trump. Wonder how he feels about Lee Greenwood. Greenwood, of course, did one of Trump’s favourite songs, “God Bless the U.S.A.” Some time later, Greenwood did the same for Canada, with “God Bless You Canada.” The video of the latter is rather poignant, and should strike home to every Canadian who loves our country and our way of life: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Bf3e9Cl1-Bs/hqdefault.jpg "God Bless You Canada - Lee Greenwood") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bf3e9Cl1-Bs) ---
**Author:** ![JimC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@JimC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimC)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2025, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/848 "2025-03-15T08:22:41Z")
Has there been any polling in Canada about Trump’s 51st state crap? I would suggest a 3 part survey to the question “Should Canada become the 51st state of the USA?” 1. Hell no! 2. Maybe, if we get a free holiday every winter to Florida. 3. Sure, liberal pussies! ---
**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 15, 2025, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/849 "2025-03-15T08:28:20Z")
That was great! Thank you for sharing. Never has our flag looked so beautiful as in these troubled times, nor our homeland so precious. > [@JimC](#): > > Has there been any polling in Canada about Trump’s 51st state crap It’s been discussed here. 90% of Canadians say “hell, no” and the American anthem gets booed at hockey games. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2025, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/850 "2025-03-15T08:44:10Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > It’s been discussed here. 90% of Canadians say “hell, no” and the American anthem gets booed at hockey games. First, you are most welcome for the video. I wish more Canadians were familiar with it. Maybe now they will be. Secondly, I have been known to wear a cowboy hat. Doesn’t look comical at all. Sadly, though I bought it 15 years ago, it is a US-made Stetson Mountain Sky. I love it, it is so comfortable, and capable of taking rain, snow, and assorted knocks, but now, I’m seriously considering a Smithbilt Hunter, a made-in-Canada hat: > **[Home](https://smithbilthats.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopboj1D76YfgkFmOufm1GSj55Qy3fBNiXfNxMPnaosmHwlSIiAp)** > > Smithbilt Hats is home of the Official White Cowboy Hat of Calgary. Handcrafted with precision and style. Elevate your look today! And despite what some Americans will tell you, even we here in Alberta will say “hell, no!” We know we’ve got a good thing going as-is, and nothing the US can or will do will improve our quality of life. No to statehood! ---
**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 15, 2025, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/851 "2025-03-15T09:06:51Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > Secondly, I have been known to wear a cowboy hat. Doesn’t look comical at all. My apologies about the cowboy hat. It’s just that us easterners tend to associate it with Texas yokels and Ted Nugent types, but really, that’s just as unfair as my disparagement of pickup truck owners. People should be judged by who they are, not what they drive or what they wear on their heads. Except for Trump. What the hell is that thing on top of his head? 😁 ---
**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 15, 2025, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/852 "2025-03-15T12:12:13Z")
“The spreadsheet belies the humanity.” – Adam Gnade, writer and musician ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2025, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/853 "2025-03-15T13:31:24Z")
> [@Gorsnak](#): > > > [@Uzi](#): > > > > the average American is better off than the average Canadian > > Mean or median? The average mean American is better off than the average friendly Canadian. … on the @Uzi meaness scale * * * > [@DavidNRockies](#): > > “The spreadsheet belies the humanity.” > > – Adam Gnade, writer and musician That quote is originally from Carl Gauss, (1824) ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2025, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/854 "2025-03-15T14:06:09Z")
> [@Uzi](#): > > So, uh, who’s in this underground blowing themselves and random Americans up? The United States and Canada. You don’t seem to grasp the stakes. If you re unaware of them - or for that matter the sheer fury and hatred growing just from the THREAT of invasion - I am not sure what else to say except that you need to be more acquainted with the facts. Canadians value being Canadian. ---
**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 15, 2025, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/855 "2025-03-15T14:11:47Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Canadians value being Canadian. He wants Canada to be Austria to Hitler’s Germany. Remind us again how that worked out? And that’s another factor for why a lot of Canadians won’t accept this: We don’t want later generations wondering why we joined the US entirely unopposed just as they were starting off on their great crusade to expand the American Empire at the expense of everyone else around them. We may be conquered, and forced at gunpoint to support this nonsense, but we want history to note that we did not simply acquiesce to their plans. Better to be Poland than Austria. ---
**Author:** ![MacDoc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/macdoc/32/18696_2.png) [@MacDoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacDoc)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2025, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/856 "2025-03-15T14:21:49Z")
Puts NATO treaty signatories in a tricky position. I suspect most American’ by far oppose this nonsense and the dumpf has just fucked up a good relationship. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2025, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/857 "2025-03-15T14:26:31Z")
> [@psychonaut](#): > > Trump seems hyperfocused on projecting power in the arctic, so what’s to stop him from seizing control of Canada’s northernmost islands and coastal territories? Trump’s intentions seem rather unclear, but he’s not leaving the Canadian government alone to scheme against him in this scenario. Crimea isn’t a good analogy to the Arctic; it’s a place Russia already had a military presence and a substantial degree of support from the locals (who were already heavily Russian.) What you’re suggesting isn’t impossible but it’s not really of a tremendous degree of benefit to the USA. People keep talking about the vast Arctic resources but we don’t do THAT much mining up there yet. There’s no value in Banks Island. And how does that make Canada part of the USA - which, as reports are now coming out, Trump is also obsessed with in private? I know the Ukraine thing is in many ways eerily similar, but militarily speaking it’s very different. That said I’m not saying your scenario isn’t POSSIBLE. It just isn’t very likely, because of what Ludovic points out; a piecemeal attack is a dreadful idea here. Let’s go back to Crimea; Putin’s approach in Ukraine has now gotten Russia into a horrific quagmire of a wat. tt has been a CATASTROPHIC miscalculation. By trying ti piecemeal the country apart, Putin gave Ukraine years to build up and prepare its armed forces for a larger invasion. As much as Russia is the larger power, the Ukrainian army was by 2022 very big and well armed and prepared. It’s not really that surprising that they’ve managed to hold on. > [@psychonaut](#): > > And I think that for both Canada and its allies, retaliating with strikes against the lower 48 states would be untenable. Yes, I’ve kept saying this over and over (NATO will be of zero consequence) from a conventional point of view. The day after the war starts, the UNCONVENTIONAL violence will be planned and it won’t take long to start up. > [@wolfpup](#): > > Geez, man, you should get a job writing fantastical fiction, also featuring 16-legged four-winged flying reptilian invaders from Pluto! Can you explain what I wrote that was unrealistic? It’s a very likely war plan. I mean, I’m drawing from history and my job experience here. What would be a likelier way for a war to play out? If the US invades, how do you see their approach being different? ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2025, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/858 "2025-03-15T14:26:39Z")
Ah Spoons, admit it. In a cowboy hat, you look like Harper at the 2010 Stampede. 😉 > **[Stephen Harper cowboy photo published in book – Visual Photography](https://www.pixdesk.ca/2010/05/01/stephen-harper-cowboy-photo-published-in-book/)** ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2025, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/859 "2025-03-15T14:30:28Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > You don’t seem to grasp the stakes. I don’t understand the ‘why’. Canada has health care, and so does the US. Ours may be better. Canada supports the gay opera. Apparently, the US does not. Canada doesn’t have slums (we do), America does. Or some such excuses about how Canada is superior to the US. How many people are you planning to kill or you think should die so that we can keep our gay opera? ---
**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 15, 2025, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/860 "2025-03-15T14:31:32Z")
If you can’t tie it to a single, questionable metric, you have to tie national pride and desire _not_ to be subjugated to a pretty poor straw man argument? Huh. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734.md?page=42) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734.md?page=44)