One of the world’s most durable and amicable alliances is broken. Canadians are absorbing U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war and his threats to make Canada the 51st state.

Canadians are feeling an undeniable sense of betrayal after Trump declared a trade war against America’s northern neighbor and longtime ally. Trump keeps threatening Canada’s sovereignty and and vowing to put sweeping 25% tariffs on Canadian products, though Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday afternoon the tariffs will be postponed by at least 30 days after he promised more cooperation on the border.

In Canada, discussion and disapproval are everywhere. Canadian hockey fans have even been booing the American national anthem at recent National Hockey League games. Addressing the nation this past weekend, Trudeau channeled the betrayal that many Canadians are feeling, reminding Americans that Canadian troops fought alongside them in Afghanistan and helped respond to myriad crises from wildfires in California to Hurricane Katrina. “We were always there standing with you, grieving with you, the American people,” he said.

The Canadian jitters, some worry, could go beyond the moment. “The damage is going to be long-lasting,” said Robert Bothwell, a professor of Canadian history and international relations at the University of Toronto. “The Americans won’t be trusted anymore. The 51st state stuff is just contemptuous. It treats Canada like we don’t even exist.”

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  • faltryka@lemmy.world
    38·
    17 hours ago

    Kansas checking in here just to say fuck you buddy. Go fuck off to some other country where alliances and brotherhood dating back generations don’t mean shit if that’s how you feel.

    I’ve worked for a Canadian company in the US, and they were great for our local economy. I work at a big US org now (multi industry including petrochemicals) alongside many Canadians again contributing to the US economy.

    Frankly, they have been a more reliable and trustworthy partner than the likes of you who would so instantly harm your brother who had done you only service. I hope you go find some other fucking country to taint with your America harming agenda. I’ll stand with the Canadians and the real American patriots who believe in many of the good things that the US has stood for, while also recognizing we can all always be better.