The latest talks between Canadian and American politicians at the White House should prompt a reconsideration of how we negotiate with an unreliable partner.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said it was the best meeting he’s had so far in Washington and we applaud him for his measured response.
However, the continued browbeating from U.S. President Donald Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick shows disrespect for Canada’s sovereignty. When negotiations devolve into a threat against this country’s very existence, we need to adopt different tactics.
Our main negotiator — Prime Minister Mark Carney — must get himself a mandate by calling an election. Ford and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith have both been forthright and effective. But we need to speak with one voice. A good plan would be to stop negotiating through American talk shows. Since those are the mediums favoured by Trump and his cabinet, we have little option but to respond.
Canada needs to widen this discussion. While Trump blathered on about crushing Canada economically and annexing this country as the 51st state, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who’s Dutch, sat by smiling in the Oval Office. We remind him that Canadians liberated Holland from totalitarianism in the Second World War. His gutless silence to threats against this country was cowardly and offensive.
What Trump is threatening is a contravention of international law. Our UN ambassador, Bob Rae, should bring a motion condemning Trump’s threats to that body and let the chips fall where they may.
If former allies such France, the U.K. and Japan side with the Americans, it will be a sign they’re cowards, scared they’ll become the next target for the schoolyard bully. At least we’ll know where we stand. Many of them will develop a convenient diplomatic flu and not show up to vote.
The unelected voices speaking for Canada in the U.S. should pipe down. Kevin O’Leary, the self-proclaimed Mr. Wonderful, appears to have ingested the MAGA Kool-Aid. He has no authority to speak on our behalf. His statements about merging the two economies are unhelpful.
Trump says he needs nothing from us and yet he wants us so badly, he can’t stop talking about it. If all we get are threats and insults, it’s time to stop going cap in hand to Washington.