Donald Trump and the death of American Empire? The Trump administration has demonstrated its ability to seize tactical advantage in the moment, but displays no awareness of strategic disadvantages this creates.
Here some of my thoughts about America taking over Canada. How about this scenario?
Trump pulls out of European NATO but promises to maintain the American/Canadian pact, with American and Canadian military working together. Obviously America would dominate, and would propose to finance the installation of military bases and garrisons across the Artic.
Trump puts up and endorses a pro-America Canadian leadership candidate with substantial funding and the full resources of American political advisors and media manipulators. This candidate would propose closer economic ties with America to boost exports and jobs, reduce the costs of imports, attract inward investment and increase tourism.
Trump privately tells his oligarch friends he is going to tank the American economy, so they can cash in their American investments, short sell before the crash and watch as the markets collapse. Obviously the Canadian markets and share prices would collapse too.
Then the oligarchs buy everything back at 10cents on the dollar, taking control of all the key American business sectors - they now control the government, the military and all the key industries. They do the same in Canada, ending up with ownership of all the Canadian mining, energy, manufacturing, shipping and food production companies.
90% of Canadians live within a couple of hours of the American border, because that is where their income comes from, one way or another. If Trump imposes strict sanctions and a closed border, and a new pro-American candidate proposes a deal with closer ties, no sanctions and open borders, how many Canadians would reject it?
So de facto, America now controls Canada; its politics, its economy, its border policies, and its military.
I'm not quite as pessimistic (jaundiced?) as you are, but will say Canada needs to develop a national strategy – something we've never, ever had as far as I can tell – that lays out what our national goals are (independence, freedom, economic security, etc.)
It would be hard for Trump to bankroll a Canadian politician or party under our existing election financing laws. Donations can only come from individuals who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents – not corporations, unions or groups of people – and they are limited to about $1,750 to a candidate/party. This makes it difficult even for rich people to influence an election.
I'm doubtful "the oligarchs" want to tank the economy so they can buy it cheap – since they already own billions in assets which would also devalue. Not sure there's a real win there for them.
I think most Canadians live close to the US border (except Alaska) because that's where the sun shines most. :)
NATO isn't going anywhere. And there is no country in the world, even China that can fill the void. To be a globalist you need to have a globalist mentality. Literally every country other than USA and Canada(that I know of) depends on nationalism. Nationalism is me , my people. Nothing global. Trump can and is smartly leveraging that. As long as he does it limited to 4 years, nothing changes.
There will always be another Trump. A stronger, more self-reliant Canada isn't turning its back on the world. It's not averse to Globalism.
But, our economic strength is natural resources. Always has been. Will be for some time to come. Our leverage in negotiations with the USA is our energy. Yet, we've allowed generations of governments to create an infrastructure that hands the Americans the keys to our energy. Now, they have all the cards.
It's time Canada drew (built, created, invested in) some cards of our own. We will do better globally if we have a stronger foundation domestically,
Here some of my thoughts about America taking over Canada. How about this scenario?
Trump pulls out of European NATO but promises to maintain the American/Canadian pact, with American and Canadian military working together. Obviously America would dominate, and would propose to finance the installation of military bases and garrisons across the Artic.
Trump puts up and endorses a pro-America Canadian leadership candidate with substantial funding and the full resources of American political advisors and media manipulators. This candidate would propose closer economic ties with America to boost exports and jobs, reduce the costs of imports, attract inward investment and increase tourism.
Trump privately tells his oligarch friends he is going to tank the American economy, so they can cash in their American investments, short sell before the crash and watch as the markets collapse. Obviously the Canadian markets and share prices would collapse too.
Then the oligarchs buy everything back at 10cents on the dollar, taking control of all the key American business sectors - they now control the government, the military and all the key industries. They do the same in Canada, ending up with ownership of all the Canadian mining, energy, manufacturing, shipping and food production companies.
90% of Canadians live within a couple of hours of the American border, because that is where their income comes from, one way or another. If Trump imposes strict sanctions and a closed border, and a new pro-American candidate proposes a deal with closer ties, no sanctions and open borders, how many Canadians would reject it?
So de facto, America now controls Canada; its politics, its economy, its border policies, and its military.
What did I miss?
Interesting scenario!
I'm not quite as pessimistic (jaundiced?) as you are, but will say Canada needs to develop a national strategy – something we've never, ever had as far as I can tell – that lays out what our national goals are (independence, freedom, economic security, etc.)
It would be hard for Trump to bankroll a Canadian politician or party under our existing election financing laws. Donations can only come from individuals who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents – not corporations, unions or groups of people – and they are limited to about $1,750 to a candidate/party. This makes it difficult even for rich people to influence an election.
I'm doubtful "the oligarchs" want to tank the economy so they can buy it cheap – since they already own billions in assets which would also devalue. Not sure there's a real win there for them.
I think most Canadians live close to the US border (except Alaska) because that's where the sun shines most. :)
Thanks for the comment!
Outstanding. Prb
NATO isn't going anywhere. And there is no country in the world, even China that can fill the void. To be a globalist you need to have a globalist mentality. Literally every country other than USA and Canada(that I know of) depends on nationalism. Nationalism is me , my people. Nothing global. Trump can and is smartly leveraging that. As long as he does it limited to 4 years, nothing changes.
There will always be another Trump. A stronger, more self-reliant Canada isn't turning its back on the world. It's not averse to Globalism.
But, our economic strength is natural resources. Always has been. Will be for some time to come. Our leverage in negotiations with the USA is our energy. Yet, we've allowed generations of governments to create an infrastructure that hands the Americans the keys to our energy. Now, they have all the cards.
It's time Canada drew (built, created, invested in) some cards of our own. We will do better globally if we have a stronger foundation domestically,