Trump wants Canada, Greenland and the Panama Canal

[Dr Strangelove]

Elbows down? Travel to U.S. increases for first time in 15 months
Key finding
April 2026: Canadian visits to the U.S. rose 1.4% year‑over‑year, the first increase since early 2025.

This marks the end — at least temporarily — of a 15‑month slide triggered by political tensions, tariffs, and President Trump’s “51st state” remarks.

What’s driving the increase?
1. Car travel is rebounding
+5.8% increase in car return trips in April 2026.

Land crossings are recovering faster than air travel, which remains down.

2. Air travel is still weak
–8.1% decline in air trips compared to April 2025.

This suggests Canadians are more comfortable with short, discretionary cross‑border trips than longer U.S. vacations.

Why this matters
A possible end to the boycott — or just stabilization?
The increase is small but symbolically important. Analysts note that declines have been shrinking for months:

Month (2026 vs 2025) Decline in Canadian visits
January –22%
February –12.5%
March –7.6%
April +1.4% (first increase)



This pattern suggests the boycott is stabilizing, not fully reversing.

Economic impact
U.S. tourism regions — especially New York State and the Adirondacks — have lost millions due to the drop in Canadian visitors. Even a modest rebound is significant for border economies.

How this fits with newer May 2026 data
A separate StatsCan release shows:

May 2026: Canadian return trips to the U.S. up 9.5% year‑over‑year

Driven by +15.1% increase in car travel

Air travel still down 5.5%


This reinforces the April trend: land travel is recovering first.

[testerone]

Oh Jees interoret a red c*nt hair of an increase as Canadians bowing like surrender monkeys why doncha?

[Dr Strangelove]

The "Tariff" Controversy: The creator slams Hoekstra for claiming the U.S. did not "take aim" at Canada with recent tariffs, arguing that linking Canadian trade to fentanyl and national security is a direct, punitive act (0:00–1:07).
Economic Imperialism: The video describes the proposed U.S. trade demands—focusing on oil, uranium, auto parts, steel, and aluminum—as a "colonial" shopping list rather than a modern partnership (2:27–3:44).
The Power of "Hitting Back": The creator praises Vassy Kapelos for calling out the Ambassador on live television, noting that she perfectly identified Hoekstra's frustration that Canada did not simply "lay there" after being hit with tariffs (6:35–7:02).
Geopolitical Realignment: A major focus of the video is the assertion that Canada is now actively looking toward European alternatives for military procurement, such as the Saab Gripen fighter jets, signaling a potential "permanent structural divorce" from dependence on the U.S. military-industrial complex (7:43–9:26).


This is why he should NOT be recalled. He is SO bad at his job he needs to be held up as an example of why dealing with the US is hopelessly delusional. We need to divest from these maggots asap.

[Dr Strangelove]

Key Findings by Country:
United States: The U.S. placed a significant bet on tariffs to reduce the trade deficit and boost domestic manufacturing. However, data indicates that 94% of the tariff costs were absorbed by American firms and consumers (1:45-2:13), contributing to higher inflation and slower economic growth. Furthermore, a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling (Learning Resources vs. Trump) has struck down the legal basis for these tariffs (0:56-1:20), potentially leading to massive refund obligations.
Mexico: Rather than escalating tensions, Mexico focused on USMCA compliance. By increasing the share of goods qualifying for preferential treatment from 45% to 89% (6:13-6:25), Mexico turned the tariff regime into a competitive advantage, attracting record foreign investment and seeing its currency, the peso, gain 22% against the dollar (7:04-7:18).
Canada: Initially responding with retaliation, Canada pivoted toward trade diversification (8:19-8:29). While specific sectors like auto and steel struggled, Canada successfully reduced its reliance on the U.S. market and saw its stock market (TSX) outperform the U.S. S&P 500 by nearly 20 percentage points last year (13:48-14:05).
The Road Ahead:
The video concludes by looking toward the July 2026 USMCA review (14:19-14:30). While the agreement is expected to survive as a "revised extension," it will likely involve difficult negotiations regarding Chinese content, automotive requirements, and energy policies (15:00-15:27). Ultimately, the video suggests that while the tariffs caused significant disruption, they also compelled Canada to build more diversified and resilient trade relationships.

[Dr Strangelove]

Trade Strategy with the U.S. (0:48-3:47): Carney signaled that Canada will not be rushed into a "bad deal" regarding CUSMA (the US-Canada-Mexico Agreement) despite pressure and performative rhetoric from the Trump administration. Carney emphasized that Canada is negotiating from a position of confidence, supported by a united front of Canadian ministers and stakeholders, and is willing to wait for the right terms rather than capitulating to external pressure.
Alberta Separation (3:48-6:22): Addressing Danielle Smith's rhetoric, Carney labeled the idea of Alberta's separation a "dangerous bluff." Drawing on his experience overseeing Brexit at the Bank of England, he warned that such a move would lead to complex, painful negotiations regarding currency, debt, and market access, noting that Alberta’s landlocked nature would make economic independence particularly challenging.
Defense and NATO Commitments (6:23-7:44): Carney linked Canada's international standing to increased defense spending, noting that hitting the NATO 2% target (with goals for 4%) provides the country with greater credibility at the global table. This investment in surveillance, arctic security, and defense manufacturing is positioned as a way to boost the domestic economy while strengthening international security ties.
Economic Outlook (7:45-8:20): While noting strong indicators like increased job creation and foreign direct investment, Carney remained transparent, admitting that the ongoing trade uncertainty with the U.S. remains the primary risk factor for the Canadian economy.

[Dr Strangelove]

Project Scope & Generosity: Canada financed the entire $6.4 billion project, used American steel and workers, and granted Michigan 50% ownership for free. The bridge is intended to supplement the century-old Ambassador Bridge and is critical for the $126 billion in annual trade flowing through the corridor (0:54 - 3:44).
The Alleged "Shakedown": The Moroun family, owners of the competing Ambassador Bridge, has long fought the new crossing. The video highlights a timeline where a $1 million donation to a super PAC supporting Donald Trump was followed by a private meeting between the donor's representative and the U.S. Commerce Secretary, leading to a blockade of the bridge (5:08 - 6:47).
Contradictory Justifications: The Trump administration cited issues like Canadian dairy policy and trade with China as reasons for the delay, which the video labels as "excuses" for what it characterizes as a "shakedown" to protect a private monopoly (7:05 - 8:09).
Canada's Stance: Prime Minister Mark Carney is maintaining that Canada should not pay "ransom" or offer new trade concessions to open a bridge already governed by a 2012 bipartisan agreement (8:09 - 9:32).
Future Outlook:
The video argues that the bridge's status is a "referendum" on the reliability of the United States as a long-term partner for international infrastructure projects. The creators urge American stakeholders—particularly in Michigan—to pressure Washington to honor the original agreement (9:32 - 11:41).


US Truckers and US voters should be screaming at their legislators about this if they expect Canada to trade with them. If they have no honor they have no trade.

[Dr Strangelove]

Key perspectives presented:

Caution from Canadian voices: Former foreign ministers Peter MacKay and John Manley provide a bipartisan reality check. They argue that while the shift in tone is undeniable, Canada is geographically and economically tethered to the U.S., making a total separation impractical or even dangerous (4:02-11:13).
International support: Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull offers a contrasting, more optimistic view. He reflects on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) as a successful model of middle powers acting without the U.S., suggesting that such "variable geometry" alliances are viable and necessary for maintaining national dignity in a changing world (12:47-19:39).
Strategic necessity: The episode suggests that while Canada historically played the role of an "addendum" to the U.S., the current climate of American volatility forces a difficult choice between "anxious nostalgia" for the past and the potential for a new, independent global strategy (23:33-25:26).
The episode concludes by framing the central dilemma for Canada not just as a survival question, but as a challenge of defining what kind of country—and what kind of world—it wants to build in this new, fragmented reality (25:26-26:10).
Rupture season 2