# 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:** 46
**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, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/901 "2025-03-15T21:09:08Z")
His lackeys probably assured him that it would be renamed the Yearly Mercantilist Canadian Agreement. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2025, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/902 "2025-03-15T21:43:55Z")
I was just thinking, we might be approaching a point, at which, nationalist feelings in grocery preference may have sufficiently flipped Canadian’s purchasing, such that, our government might consider removing the tariffs on American imports of food and booze. Comfortable knowing, while a grand gesture, that might just force a reciprocal gesture, Canadian’s quite possibly won’t go back to buying American, at any savings or discount. ---
**Author:** ![Mark\_Finn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/34f0e0/32.png) [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2025, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/903 "2025-03-15T22:14:54Z")
The 1920 [Merchant Marine Act of 1920 - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merchant_Marine_Act_of_1920) - commonly called the “Jones Act” (and its predecessors) forces non-US-flagged ships sailing between two US ports to stop at a foreign port as well. Some Alaska officials want this Act repealed so that West Coast cruise ships can sail directly from (e.g.) Seattle to Alaska. [Alaska lawmaker threatens BC cruise industry, threatens to divert ships - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rYLN7EwSg0) The average cruise ship (mostly flagged in Panama) generates $3 million for the economy in BC ports such as Vancouver and Victoria. Multiply that by 300 ships a year. With a repeal - Canada could retaliate by forcing such ships to sail in only US or international waters. But who would want to take an Alaska cruise and see nothing but open sea (and the ship may not be totally suited to sail in open waters). So why not use US-flagged cruise ships? Simply because there is only one suitable for this environment (all others are designed for river or relatively calm coastline cruises). That one ship does Hawaiian cruises, so it doesn’t have to visit a Canadian/non-US port during its trip. Also - US-flagged ships need to have at least a 90% American crew. ---
**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, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/904 "2025-03-15T22:19:29Z")
> [@Mark\_Finn](#): > > But who would want to take an Alaska cruise and see nothing but open sea (and the ship may not be totally suited to sail in open waters). Most of them use the same ships they use on other cruises, so that’s not a concern. But yeah, half the point of this cruise is to see the amazing geology going by. > [@](#): > > So why not use US-flagged cruise ships? Simply because there is only one suitable for this environment (all others are designed for river or relatively calm coastline cruises). That one ship does Hawaiian cruises, so it doesn’t have to visit a Canadian/non-US port during its trip. Also - US-flagged ships need to have at least a 90% American crew And that makes such cruises far more expensive, as with almost all jobs when comparing US workers to foreign workers. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2025, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/905 "2025-03-16T00:48:19Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > 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: Thanks for this. I went to YouTube for the URL and posted it on Facebook and Bluesky. ---
**Author:** ![Bookkeeper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bookkeeper/32/281_2.png) [@Bookkeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bookkeeper)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2025, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/906 "2025-03-16T04:14:24Z")
I had never heard this before either, and have also reposted to Facebook to give it wider exposure. If the worst happens and the US does try to take us over with force, I too once wore a Canadian uniform and swore an oath to defend our country. At 70+ I’m not likely to be running through the bush or firing a LAW at US APCs any more, but there are lots of other things that a committed patriot could do to resist the foreign invaders. ---
**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 16, 2025, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/907 "2025-03-16T08:07:26Z")
And let’s not forget this, where a US President addresses the Canadian Parliament: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/oZH4n6DfcFw/hqdefault.jpg "President Barack Obama delivers stirring speech in Parliament") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZH4n6DfcFw) This is what Trump wants to throw away. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2025, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/908 "2025-03-16T08:56:05Z")
When is Orangeboy addressing Canadian Parliament? 😃 That would be incredibly… I dunno. Unforgettable to start with. ---
**Author:** ![Icerigger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icerigger/32/432_2.png) [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2025, 11:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/909 "2025-03-16T11:05:39Z")
Where is Sam Stone? I wonder what he would think of all this? ---
**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 16, 2025, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/910 "2025-03-16T11:30:03Z")
Alaska sends two Senators and a single House representative to Congress… All Republicans (Alaska also swung for a Trump Presidency), let them eat the fruits of their choices. If they don’t like the taste, they are WELL positioned to complain or even stop the madness through their elected representatives. These are the exact type of Americans who deserve to be held to account. They are empowered, culpable, vulnerable, and listening. Send them a message BC. ETA: A rising tide lifts all boats? Well you better learn that it goes the other way around too. ---
**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 17, 2025, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/911 "2025-03-17T01:43:19Z")
> [@Bookkeeper](#): > > I too once wore a Canadian uniform and swore an oath to defend our country. At 70+ I’m not likely to be running through the bush or firing a LAW at US APCs any more, but there are lots of other things that a committed patriot could do to resist the foreign invaders. You could still throw the book at them… Just saying ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2025, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/912 "2025-03-17T02:22:29Z")
> [@Bookkeeper](#): > > If the worst happens and the US does try to take us over with force, I too once wore a Canadian uniform and swore an oath to defend our country. At 70+ I’m not likely to be running through the bush or firing a LAW at US APCs any more, but there are lots of other things that a committed patriot could do to resist the foreign invaders. Every person taking direct action against the invasion will need multiple persons providing supplies, intelligence, safe houses, and so forth. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2025, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/913 "2025-03-17T08:50:16Z")
> [@Uzi](#): > > Yes the Americans can steamroll Canada’s military. If I was to do it, I’d capture parliament and take control of the bases. A short 2 day largely bloodless exercise. No way - the notion that _no one_ would resist is ludicrous, and any resistance will be met with bullets. Russia went into Ukraine with that assumption and here they are _years_ later bleeding and dying. WTF makes you think US vs. Canada would be any different? even IF the US “steamrolls” parliament there would still be an insurgency because - SURPRISE! - many of your countrymen really, really don’t want to be part of the US. > [@Uzi](#): > > Then I’d make the announcement that Canada is now the US with all the benefits thereof. Benefits? What benefits that you don’t _already_ enjoy? And you WOULD lose your universal health coverage, that simply could not be allowed to exist because It Might Give People Ideas. > [@Uzi](#): > > Canadian dollar at par, exchange your loonies in by x date. WTF makes you think there would be any such exchange? This isn’t the reunification of Germany, it’s an invasion. It’s far more likely all Canadian money would be declared worthless than a one-to-one exchange. Yes, your money is now worthless, you have nothing, _maybe_ your new overlords will offer you “loans” at interest rates that will keep you in debt slavery for the rest of your life. If you will even be able to _find_ work - the current administration in the US has cheerfully thrown _millions_ of its own citizens onto the street without work, WTF makes you think they’d treat the citizens of a nation they just invaded any better? > [@Uzi](#): > > Keep your healthcare Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha - already covered that. > [@Uzi](#): > > No more tariffs. Oh, don’t be silly - _of course_ the tariffs will continue, you will be obligated to pay for the invasion you “forced” on the US by your mere existence. You don’t expect the American government to pay for your oppression, do you? > [@Uzi](#): > > Certainly not the recent immigrants to Canada who likely only came to Canada because they couldn’t get into the US. Wow - I find it incredible you have such a low opinion of your own country you think people ONLY immigrate there because they couldn’t get something better. > [@Uzi](#): > > Now they are Americans (or at least they are until ICE packages them up). Ha ha ha ha… no. Trump is already trying to invalidate citizenship for Americans that were BORN here, much less naturalized citizens. Anyone not a natural-born Canadian will be at risk of being stripped of citizenship and deported back where they came from. > [@Uzi](#): > > It’s one thing to fight against Russia who will enforce major changes on the way you live and will be putting people up against the wall if they object, but another when effectively nothing would change except the possibility of a higher standard of living. The notion you think nothing would change is so sad. You’re talking about an administration lead by a man who honestly wanted to shoot peaceful and lawful protesters in the legs just so he could have a photo-op. Sorry, IF such an invasion ever happens you, as a Canadian, will _never_ be seen as equal to a “real” American citizen and your life will very much change… and not for the better. Although perhaps you’ll be happy enough, despite being treated like garbage, that your MAGA hero is in charge and you can be an official member of the club that supports him. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2025, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/914 "2025-03-17T09:02:24Z")
> [@Uzi](#): > > The guy wants to go out and kill people endlessly for some cause of self-determination when the end result of being a Canadian or and American isn’t such a big deal in my opinion. Key phrase: _in your opinion_. I think there is a substantial difference myself. My opinion carries just as much weight as yours. > [@Uzi](#): > > Again, how am I making a specious argument. Americans and Canadians are pretty much indistinguishable for the most part. And yet… there have been occasions where I talking to someone I just met and say “what part of Canada are you from?” Maybe it comes from growing up near the border, but there are cultural and language differences that can be spotted if you bother to look. > [@thorny\_locust](#): > > I love my country. But I’m not sure it even exists any longer. Same. Well, the country exists but it’s not the country I lived most of my life in. I’m having trouble recognizing the US. ---
**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 17, 2025, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/915 "2025-03-17T09:15:57Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Ha ha ha ha… no. Trump is already trying to invalidate citizenship for Americans that were BORN here, much less naturalized citizens. Anyone not a natural-born Canadian will be at risk of being stripped of citizenship and deported back where they came from. Well, really, “Canadian citizenship” would basically cease to exist as a concept. The US would have to decide on what basis to allow the former Canadian citizens to become American citizens. And as such, it would be a trivial exercise to say, “This class of former Canadians are not eligible for US citizenship”. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2025, 9:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/916 "2025-03-17T09:32:19Z")
Right. Let’s call it “Poutine Rico.” ---
**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 17, 2025, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/917 "2025-03-17T10:14:59Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > No way - the notion that _no one_ would resist is ludicrous, and any resistance will be met with bullets. Russia went into Ukraine with that assumption and here they are _years_ later bleeding and dying. WTF makes you think US vs. Canada would be any different? The Clownvoy was direct evidence that useful idiots could be convinced by Russian disinformation to stop working and park their trucks for weeks on end. Imagine if intelligent people lost family members at the hands of the US invaders? ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2025, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/918 "2025-03-17T11:03:51Z")
> [@FinsToTheLeft](#): > > The Clownvoy was direct evidence that useful idiots could be convinced by Russian disinformation to stop working and park their trucks for weeks on end. Imagine if intelligent people lost family members at the hands of the US invaders? But it wasn’t the American government that froze bank accounts and stripped Canadians of their rights in that instance just for protesting was it? ---
**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 17, 2025, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/919 "2025-03-17T12:11:32Z")
> [@Uzi](#): > > But it wasn’t the American government that froze bank accounts and stripped Canadians of their rights in that instance just for protesting was it? You really think that “We’re going to freeze bank accounts of people we suspect are being paid by foreign interests to cause civil unrest” and the US invading Canada and killing Canadians in the process are equivalent? Really? ---
**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 17, 2025, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734/920 "2025-03-17T12:16:10Z")
> [@FinsToTheLeft](#): > > The Clownvoy was direct evidence that useful idiots could be convinced by Russian disinformation to stop working and park their trucks for weeks on end. Indeed. Trucks only make money when they’re running. Somebody had to be paying them to stop running for weeks on end. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734.md?page=45) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-united-states-declares-economic-war-on-canada/1013734.md?page=47)