Donald Trump — the greatest threat to Canada since Hitler (Part III): Fighting for our future

Trump has declared an economic war on Canada . . . It is part of a strategy to weaken Canada’s sovereignty and absorb it into the US.

By Fareed Khan

A version of this article can found on Substack.

This is part III of a three part series on the existential danger the United States under Donald Trump poses to Canada.

Canada finds itself at a historic crossroads — a moment of profound consequence not only for its own future, but also for the stability of the democratic world. For decades, Canadians have viewed the United States as a close ally, and a neighbour bound by shared values and intertwined economies. Today, that assumption is collapsing in the face of Donald Trump’s trade and tariff war against Canada and his expansionist political agenda. Canada is now the front line in the global fight for an international economic and political order that has created prosperity, and maintained eight decades of peace. If this country falls, others will fall behind us. Under the circumstances the stakes could not be higher.]

Trump’s return to the White House in January 2025 transformed a once‑predictable bilateral relationship into a volatile confrontation. His economic war, his threats of annexation, and his openly authoritarian instincts represent the greatest danger Canada has faced since Adolf Hitler. That comparison may sound extreme, but many Canadians now believe it is warranted. Trump’s actions — sweeping tariffs, political interference, and rhetoric that frames Canada as a subordinate territory — have forced Canadians to confront a reality that would have been unthinkable only a few years ago.

Canada must begin by acknowledging the truth: Trump has declared an economic war on Canada. His tariffs, threats, and interference are not isolated incidents or negotiating tactics. They are part of a coordinated strategy to weaken Canada’s sovereignty and absorb it into a US-dominated sphere of influence. This is not speculation. It is the conclusion Canadians themselves are drawing.

Recent polling shows that 55% of Canadians now view the United States as the greatest threat to national security — more than China or Russia. Another poll found that 58% believe a US military invasion is plausible in the near term. These numbers represent a profound shift in public consciousness. Canadians are not reacting to abstract theories or distant hypotheticals. They are responding to Trump’s explicit statements, his aggressive policies, and the unmistakable trajectory of his administration.

The fear is not irrational. Trump has repeatedly mused about annexing Canada as the “51st state.” He has threatened to “cripple” Canada’s economy if Ottawa does not comply with his demands. His administration has imposed tariffs designed not merely to extract concessions, but to destabilize Canada’s economic foundations. And his political allies have openly encouraged separatist movements within Canada as a means of fracturing the country from within.

In this context, Canada must respond with unity, courage, and decisive action. The time for polite diplomacy and cautious statements has long passed. The threat is real, immediate, and unprecedented. Canada must adopt a national strategy equal to the scale of the danger.

One of Canada’s most potent tools lies not in the size of its military, but in the collective purchasing power of its people. Canadians buy hundreds of billions of dollars in American goods every year, a flow of commerce that has long benefited US industries. But that advantage can be turned into leverage. A coordinated boycott — already emerging organically across the country — has cost American businesses billions. This pressure is not merely a gesture of disapproval, it is a strategic act of self‑defence. By reducing demand for US products, Canadians can impose real economic consequences on American industries, particularly those in politically sensitive regions where Trump’s support is strongest. Economic pressure applied consistently and deliberately can force political recalculations in Washington in ways that diplomatic statements alone cannot.

Canada also holds decisive advantages in resources the United States cannot easily replace. Potash, energy, and critical minerals form the backbone of US agriculture, manufacturing, and technology. These are not commodities that can be sourced overnight from alternative suppliers. By adjusting export levels, pricing, or supply routes, Canada can raise costs for US consumers and industries — especially in red‑state farm regions already weakened by Trump’s own tariff policies. This is not retaliation for its own sake, it is a necessary defensive measure to counter Trump’s economic aggression and to remind Americans that Canada is not a passive actor in this conflict. Strategic use of these resources can shift the economic balance and force Americans to confront the consequences of Trump’s destabilizing agenda.

Canada’s vulnerabilities extend well beyond economics. Our military dependence on the United States has become a strategic liability — one Donald Trump has already demonstrated he is willing to exploit. The planned purchase of 88 F‑35 fighter jets, a $19‑billion acquisition with a lifetime cost of $74 billion, would effectively place Canada’s air‑defence capabilities under U.S. control. Canadians understand this risk with polls showing that more than 70% percent favour Canada buying Sweden’s Saab Gripen rather than the F‑35.

The problem is structural. The F‑35’s software architecture, mission data files, and maintenance systems are all controlled by the American defence contractor Lockheed Martin. In any crisis, Canada could find itself unable to obtain spare parts, essential maintenance, or the technical support required to operate its own aircraft independently. Defence experts warn that the US could disable Canada’s fleet simply by withholding software updates or restricting access to critical systems.  This danger is not theoretical. Denmark and Germany have already raised similar concerns about their own F‑35 programs, underscoring that the vulnerability is baked into the platform itself — and shared by every nation that relies on it.

Canada must therefore pursue defence autonomy, which means cancelling the F‑35 program beyond the initial jet purchase and exploring the alternative that ensures operational independence. It means investing in domestic defence production, strengthening the Canadian components of NORAD, and expanding partnerships with European, Japanese and South Korean defence contractors. Sovereignty cannot be defended if the tools of defence are controlled by a foreign power — especially one whose leader has openly threatened Canada’s territorial integrity.

But Canada cannot confront Trump’s authoritarian project alone. The US under Trump has placed targets on the backs of Europe, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and other democratic nations. These countries have faced tariffs, diplomatic pressure, and threats designed to force compliance with Washington’s agenda. Canada must work closely with these allies to coordinate economic, diplomatic, and technological resistance. A unified democratic front can counterbalance US pressure and prevent Trump from isolating Canada. The world is watching how Canada responds, and many nations would very likely stand with us if we lead with conviction.

Internal unity is equally essential. Canada’s domestic divisions — particularly Alberta separatism — are vulnerabilities Trump seeks to exploit, and has already tried to. Regional polarization and political fragmentation weaken national cohesion and amplify foreign interference. Canada must confront these internal threats with honesty and resolve. National unity is not merely a political slogan. It is a strategic necessity.

Canadians themselves must also take an active role in defending the country. The public must speak out, organize, and demand decisive action from their leaders — similar to the sort of action Mark Carney took when he rejected the US attempt to pressure Canada into a coercive trade deal. Civic mobilization can shape policy, stiffen political resolve, and counter disinformation. The defence of democracy is not the responsibility of governments alone. It rests with citizens who refuse to allow their country to be intimidated, destabilized, or undermined by foreign aggression.

Canada’s future depends on our willingness to defend our sovereignty, our values, and our democracy. Trump’s authoritarian project threatens not only Canada, but the entire post World War II order that has prevented another global war for eight decades. His ideology — rooted in nationalism, exclusion, and unchecked power — is incompatible with the principles that define Canada and other democratic nations. If Canada stands firm, we can help lead the world in resisting this rising tide of authoritarianism. Canada has done it before. During World War II, Canada played a critical role in defending democracy against fascism. Today, the threat is different but no less dangerous. The battleground is economic, political, and informational — but the stakes are the same — freedom, sovereignty, and the future of democratic governance.

If Canada falters, the consequences could very well be catastrophic. A weakened or destabilized Canada would embolden Trump’s authoritarian agenda, undermine the alliance of global democracies, and reshape the geopolitical landscape in ways that threaten peace and stability. The world cannot afford a Canada that is intimidated, divided, or subdued.

The time to defend our country — its sovereignty, its values, and its future — is now. Canada must rise to meet this moment with clarity, courage, and unwavering resolve. History will judge how we respond.

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