This article originally appeared in Real Clear World.
By Gordon L. Weil, March 19, 2025
The U.S. is beating up on Canada.
The friendship between the U.S. and Canada is historic but has fallen into an inexplicable confrontation. Bizarrely, President Trump has proposed that a fellow member of the powerful Group of Seven major economic powers should dissolve and become just another American state.
Trump labels Canada’s favorable trade balance with the U.S. as a “subsidy.” He’s still threatening a 25 per cent tariff on imports from Canada ignoring the offsetting balances favoring the U.S. for trade in services and economic investment. He says he will apply similar tactics to other countries, including other close allies.
Trump asserts his “America First” policy and to achieve this he steps away from the leadership of alliances, preferring to pressure rather than partner.
His policy has deep roots, beginning with Sen. Henry Cabot Lodge in 1919. The highly esteemed Republican senator said, “I must think of the United States first … for if the United States fails, the best hopes of mankind fail with it.” In short, America must lead and others should see its go-it-alone leadership as being in their own best interest.
For Canada and other countries with proud national histories, powerful economies and enormous contributions to the common advance of civilization, this policy comes as a shock. They may simply acquiesce, provide a semblance of acceptance by appeasement, or assert their own places in the international community.
They cannot pursue business as usual or hope for its return after Trump leaves the White House. There’s no going back. He embodies a change in the global political setting – we’ve left behind the democratic Liberalism that was on the rise since World War Two.
Sharing the North American continent makes Canada particularly vulnerable. As the larger player, Trump’s U.S. seeks to dominate Canada and believes it is too dependent to resist. If Canada responds by reciting its past cooperation, contributions and common goals, they do not compare for him with the perceived unfair trade deficit.
The Canadian economy equals Russia’s. It is the second largest country in area, surpassed only by Russia. Like the United States, it is rich in natural resources. It is virtually always a player on the international stage.
But, at least to the U.S., Canadian partnership looks like Canadian dependence. Explaining diminished American concern about Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, Trump emphasizes, “We have a big, beautiful ocean as separation.” Canada’s vast territory, like the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans, also provides a big, beautiful separation from Russia. The U.S. is the dependent on Canada here.
Many Americans, possibly including Trump, believe that Canadians are just like Americans. Perhaps that’s why people may believe that Canada as the 51st state is not as absurd as it really is. Canada has its own character and, in important ways, that matters. Health care, gun control, and abortion policies reflect the difference. As a confederation Canada has ten provinces, similar to states.
Canada should make its own case. In a changed world, Canada need not change its character, but it may have to improve its personality. Modesty must not stand in the way of it taking independent action and asserting its role. Not only could that benefit the international community, but it could be the answer to America First.
The Canadian armed forces must contribute more to continental defense, especially given the opening of the Arctic Ocean. Defense is not about the percentage of GDP being spent, but rather about what’s needed for national security and international influence.
Canada should not allow itself to be isolated, becoming a U.S. satellite. Its intelligence links with its allies must be improved. If it shares worries that trade arrangements are crumbling, it should develop its own proposal and bring the U.S. and Mexico to the table without waiting for Washington’s lead.
As American military relations with Canada and Europe are loosening, the next time the European leaders meet to plan a joint Ukraine and defense strategy, Canada should be there. A common stance between Canada and Europe makes both military and economic sense. The answer to American nationalism should not be more nationalism.
The victim of this short-term crisis may be a loss of trust of others in the U.S. The best answer is self-confidence and the creation of alternatives.
Donald Trump plays to a world audience. The leaders of strong and independent countries, like Canada, must answer. That requires new partnerships and common action.
The U.S. is not alone as “the best hope of mankind,” requiring others to follow. It is the greatest power, but it needs strong partners for balance, insight and burden sharing. Canada could do much to make that happen.
Gordon L. Weil, a contributor to the Macdonald-Laurier Institute’s Center for North American Prosperity and Security, has written for the Washington Post, the Financial Times and other publications. He served on the U.S. Senate and EU staffs and headed state government agencies.
