Trump wants Canada, Greenland and the Panama Canal

[al_keda]

Digital services tax. I can't believe that Netflix and Amazon pay no tax on subscriptions we pay.

[Dr Strangelove]

‘Sending a strong message’: Cabinet industry responds to new Canadian 25% tariff
Canada imposed a 25% surtax on certain imported wood cabinets and vanities starting July 31, 2026, for up to 200 days, while the Canadian International Trade Tribunal investigates whether surging imports are harming domestic manufacturers.

How the Canadian cabinet industry is reacting
1. Relief — but also frustration
Canadian manufacturers say the tariff sends a strong message that Ottawa is finally acting to protect domestic producers from harmful trade diversion and below‑market imports.

But industry groups emphasize that this is not enough to fix the underlying problem.

2. CKCA: “This is only a provisional shield”
The Canadian Kitchen Cabinet Association (CKCA) has repeatedly warned that the existing 25% U.S. tariff on Canadian exports remains crippling, even though Washington paused its planned increase to 50%.

CKCA’s position:

The Canadian tariff is a necessary defensive measure, but

Ottawa must push harder in negotiations with the U.S.

Canada must remove unfairly priced imports entering the Canadian market at ~20% annual growth.

3. Industry sees Ottawa’s move as a signal of seriousness
Manufacturers interpret the 25% surtax as Ottawa showing the U.S. it is willing to defend its sector, especially ahead of the CUSMA review.

This is the “strong message” — Canada is no longer sitting idle while both U.S. tariffs and cheap offshore imports squeeze the industry.

4. But the sector is still hurting
Key pressures cited by industry:

The U.S. 25% tariff has erased profitability for major exporters.

Layoffs have already occurred since U.S. duties were imposed.

Soft Canadian housing demand is compounding the pain.

[Dr Strangelove]

Tariffs ruled illegal: The U.S. Supreme Court found the IEEPA tariffs to be unlawful, leading the U.S. government to open a portal to refund approximately $10 billion to Canadian exporters (0:42-1:52).
Strategic pivot: Canadian aluminum producers successfully shifted their exports to the European Union, which saw a 276% increase in Canadian aluminum imports (3:26-3:39). European buyers are currently paying premiums for this metal (4:27-4:34).
Economic impact: While American industrial buyers are forced to pay higher costs—around $6,200 per ton—due to the tariff premiums, Canada has maintained its economic strength, posting four consecutive monthly trade surpluses (2:54-3:02, 5:14-5:33).
Current negotiations: Dominic LeBlanc is currently in Washington negotiating trade quotas. The video suggests Canada is now negotiating from a position of leverage rather than desperation, given the legal requirement for the U.S. to issue refunds and the successful diversification of Canadian trade partners (6:48-7:26).

[Dr Strangelove]

Market Dynamics: The creator contends that current geopolitical tensions and reliance on fossil fuels have caused oil prices to skyrocket, benefiting oil companies and investors while hurting consumers (1:39 - 2:43).
China’s Leadership: The video highlights China as a leader in global electrification, noting their rapid shift toward electric vehicles and industrial heating as a means to become more economically efficient and less reliant on volatile oil markets (4:17 - 5:07).
Canada’s Strategy: Canada is portrayed as moving toward a strategy of doubling its electrical grid to prioritize long-term sustainability and competitiveness over fossil fuel dependency (6:39 - 6:43).
Efficiency of Electricity: The creator argues that electricity is inherently more efficient to distribute than gasoline, which requires a complex and expensive logistical network of tanker trucks (7:53 - 10:21).
Ultimately, the video concludes that despite the current economic challenges, the path to a stable, affordable future lies in diversifying away from fossil fuels and fully embracing clean energy transition (13:13 - 13:25).