Carney should know that appeasement never works when dealing with a bully like Trump

Bullies like Trump exploit perceived weakness because their goal is not mutual benefit but dominance . . . History offers stark warnings about the dangers of appeasing coercive actors. 

 
By Fareed Khan

 

Yesterday the Canadian government announced it would remove retaliatory tariffs on US goods compliant with the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), a move framed as an effort to reset stalled trade negotiations with the United States. Prime Minister Mark Carney described this as a strategic shift, likening it to a hockey game where Canada moves from “elbows up” to deft stick handling. Yet, this decision reeks of appeasement—a concession to Donald Trump, a president who has relentlessly bullied Canada with escalating tariffs and provocative rhetoric about annexing it as the 51st state. 

History and psychological studies warn us that appeasing bullies rarely ends well, and Canada’s current path risks repeating the mistakes of those who have caved to coercion before. By softening its stance, Canada is not outmanoeuvring a bully, it is inviting further aggression from a leader with a well-documented history of breaking promises and exploiting perceived weakness.

The psychology of bullies: Why appeasement fails

Psychological studies on bullying provide a clear framework for understanding Trump’s tactics and why appeasement is doomed to fail. Bullies thrive on power imbalances, using intimidation to assert dominance and extract concessions. According to the American Psychological Association bullies target those who display submissive behaviours, interpreting acquiescence as an invitation for further aggression. Appeasement, far from de-escalating conflict, signals to the bully that their tactics are effective, encouraging escalation.

This dynamic is evident in Trump’s trade war. After Canada imposed retaliatory tariffs on US goods in response to Trump’s 25% tariffs on Canadian exports (and 10% on energy), Trump raised the stakes, increasing tariffs to 35% on non-CUSMA-compliant goods and 50% on steel, aluminum, and copper. Canada’s decision to lift tariffs on CUSMA-compliant goods, while maintaining levies on key sectors like steel and autos, appears conciliatory—a move that risks emboldening Trump to push for more concessions.

Bullies like Trump exploit perceived weakness because their goal is not mutual benefit but dominance. A 2020 study in Personality and Individual Differences noted that individuals with narcissistic traits—such as grandiosity and a need for admiration—often engage in bullying to maintain control and suppress challenges to their authority. Trump’s public persona, marked by boastful rhetoric and personal attacks, aligns with this profile. His repeated references to Canada as a potential 51st state and his dismissal of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as a mere “governor” reflect a desire to humiliate and subordinate, not negotiate as equals. Canada’s tariff rollback, intended to foster dialogue, may instead signal to Trump that Canada is willing to bend under pressure, inviting further demands.

Historical lessons: The perils of appeasement

History offers stark warnings about the dangers of appeasing coercive actors. The most infamous example is the 1938 Munich Agreement, where Britain and France allowed Nazi Germany to annex the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia in hopes of securing “peace in our time.” This concession, driven by the desire to avoid conflict, emboldened Adolf Hitler, who interpreted it as a sign of weakness. Within a year, Germany occupied the rest of Czechoslovakia and invaded Poland, triggering World War II. The lesson is clear: appeasing a bully who seeks dominance does not lead to peace but to escalation.

To Americans from Canadians: The bully you elected as president started a fight we’re going to finish

Canada will not be your 51st state. We will not be bullied, and we will not back down . . . we are prepared to endure any economic pain to protect who we are. 

 

By Fareed Khan 

 

A letter to America:

 

For the better part of a century, Canada has been your steadfast ally, your unwavering partner, and your friend through the trials of history. We have stood shoulder to shoulder in wars and times of crisis, opened our homes to Americans in moments of need, and built an economic relationship that has enriched both our nations. But today, under the leadership of Donald Trump, that relationship has been betrayed (again).

 

Your leader has chosen the path of a bully, wielding tariffs as weapons and threatening annexation masked as a jest that hides dangerous intent. America's actions—most recently the escalation of tariffs on Canadian goods to 35% on August 1, 2025—have made it clear that you see Canada not as a partner, but as a target to be subdued. Let us be unequivocal—Canada will not bend, we will not break, and we will not be bullied.  Canadians are prepared to endure whatever pain is necessary to protect our sovereignty and to ensure that your economic aggression costs you dearly.

The history of Donald Trump is one of betrayal, a pattern as old as the parable of the scorpion and the turtle. In that tale, the scorpion promises not to sting the turtle that carries it across the river, only to betray that trust because it is in its nature. Your president has shown his nature time and again in the business world and during his first presidential term—through broken promises and broken contracts with business associates, political allies, and now entire nations. Since November 2024, his repeated calls to make Canada the “51st state” have not been taken as mere rhetoric in Canada but as a direct threat to Canada’s sovereignty. His tariffs, which began at 25% and now stand at 35% on many Canadian goods, are not just economic policy, they are an attempt to bring Canada to its knees. But your president underestimates Canadian resilience. Canada is not a nation of weakness, we are a nation of tough, innovative, and resolute people who will fight back with every tool at our disposal.

The relationship between Canada and the United States stretches back well over a century, forged through shared challenges and mutual respect. In World War One, Canada sent over 600,000 troops to fight for freedom while the US remained neutral until 1917. In World War Two, we joined the Allies in 1939 at the start of the conflict, two years before America entered the fray. When the tragedy of 9/11 struck, Canada opened its skies and homes, welcoming over 33,000 US bound passengers onto its soil, with almost 7,000 hosted by families in the town of Gander, Newfoundland (a community of approximately 10,000).  Canada hosted our guests with kindness and patience until the passengers could return home. We stood by you in Afghanistan, sacrificing 158 Canadian lives in a shared mission. Yet, when you pursued the Iraq War on false pretenses, we held firm to our principles, refusing to join a conflict built on deception.

This is the Canada your president now threatens—a nation that has proven its loyalty, its courage, and its moral compass. In contrast, your government has chosen chaos over cooperation, taking a wrecking ball to the post-World War Two order that both our nations helped build. The US-Canada trade relationship, the largest in the world, with over $2.7 billion in trade across our border daily, is a cornerstone of prosperity for both nations. Three-quarters of Canada’s exports go to the US, and Canada is the top destination for exports from 34 US states, with Canadians purchasing $349 billion in American goods last year. Yet, your president has chosen to disrupt this mutually beneficial partnership with tariffs that economists warn will harm both our economies.

Trump’s tariffs are not just an attack on Canada, they are a self-inflicted wound on the American economy. Stephen Tapp, Chief Economist at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, has stated that these tariffs will “raise costs for businesses, make American production less competitive internationally, and raise prices even more for US consumers, who have recently suffered through the highest inflation in generations”. The Tax Foundation estimates that US tariffs will amount to an average tax increase of $1,219 per US household in 2025, with market income dropping by 1.3% in 2026. The Yale Budget Lab projects that Canada’s economy could shrink by 2.1% in the long term, but the US will also suffer long-term damage as supply chains falter and prices rise.

Canadians are not standing idly by. In response to Trump’s aggression against Canada, 71% of us have pledged to buy fewer American products, a boycott that is already hitting US exporters hard. In 2024, Canada was America’s  second-largest food export market, valued at $28.4 billion. That market is shrinking as Canadian supermarkets label domestic products and consumers willingly pay 50% more for fruit and vegetables from Mexico, Latin America and other nations rather than buy produce from the US. Liquor stores in the provinces of Quebec, British Columbia, and Ontario have pulled American wines and spirits from their shelves, replacing them with Canadian alternatives. Tourism, a $20.5 billion contributor to your economy from Canadian visitors, accounting for 140,000 jobs, has plummeted, with a six-month decline in cross-border travel costing the US an estimated $12.5 billion in 2025 alone. These actions are not mere gestures, they are a calculated response to your president’s economic bullying, and they are working.

Furthermore, your president’s threats of annexation have only strengthened the resolve of Canadians. Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau captured the national sentiment when he declared, “We didn’t ask for this, but we will not back down.” Polls have shown a surge in Canadian pride, with 44% of Canadians expressing they are “very proud” of their country, up 10 points since December 2024. The idea of joining the US as a state has been rejected by 90% of Canadians. From small business owners to everyday consumers, people across the country are uniting to protect the Canadian economy and our sovereignty. Across Canada grocery stores now feature products made in Canada, and shoppers choose Canadian products even when it’s less convenient, calling your tariffs an “economic attack”. But this is not just about economics; it is about identity.

Canada is the nation that gave the world insulin, the electron microscope, IMAX, the smartphone, the pacemaker, and yes, even peanut butter. We are the birthplace of hockey and basketball, and the home of cultural icons like Drake, Shania Twain, and Gordon Lightfoot. We are a nation of innovators, creators, and peacemakers, and we will not allow our legacy to be erased by your bully president who sees Canada as a prize to be claimed.

However, we know that standing up to your president’s deranged tariff policy will come with costs. Economists predict that the Trump tariffs could lead to a million job losses in Canada and push our economy into recession. But we are prepared to endure this pain to protect our sovereignty and to send a message that US bullying will not go unanswered. Our government has already imposed retaliatory tariffs on $20.8 billion of US goods, and Canada is exploring further measures, such as export taxes on resources like oil, gas, electricity and critical minerals which the US relies on for its industrial and defence sectors. As Prime Minister Mark Carney has said, “We’re their number one customer. I’m not too sure if they fully understand the impact on both sides of the border.”

Your own economists are sounding the alarm, warning that the boycott and retaliatory tariffs will cause a “drop in US exports,” particularly in food and alcohol. A “stagflationary shock” is also predicted in the US, with growth reduced by 1.5% and rising consumer prices. Even General Motors has reported a $1.1 billion loss in quarterly earnings due to the Trump tariffs on Canadian auto parts.

These are not abstract numbers; they are the real-world consequences of your president’s reckless policies, felt by American businesses and consumers alike. He seems to have mistaken Canada’s politeness for weakness, but we are a nation forged in resilience. We have faced external threats before and emerged stronger, and we will do so again. Our boycott is not temporary. It is a commitment to reshape our economy, reduce our reliance on US trade, and strengthen ties with Europe, Asia, and beyond. We are taking action to boost our domestic economy by an estimated $200 billion annually and undertaking nation building projects in support of that objective. We are united and we will not relent until the Trump administration ceases its attacks on our economy and our sovereignty.

This is our declaration of independence from the US as our main trading partner. Canada will not be your 51st state. We will not be bullied, and we will not back down. If Trump persists in this insanity, the economic pain will be felt on both sides of the border, but we are prepared to endure it to protect who we are. The scorpion may sting because it is in its nature, but Canada will not drown from the scorpion you have installed as your president. We will rise, stronger and prouder than ever, and you will learn that a true friend, when betrayed, becomes an unyielding force.

Sincerely,

Patriots Across Canada
 

© 2025 The View From Here. © 2025 Fareed Khan. All Rights Reserved.

It’s unthinkable, but Trump could resort to military force in his bid to annex Canada

Before Russia’s 2022 assault on Ukraine, the Russian president spent years laying groundwork — claiming historical rights, questioning borders, and using economic pressure to destabilize Kyiv.  Trump is taking a similar approach . . . 
 

By Fareed Khan

 
For a century and a half, Canada and the United States have shared a peaceful border, rooted in mutual respect, economic ties, and democratic values. The last hints of American aggression toward Canada faded after the Civil War, when fear of invasion helped unite British North American colonies into Canada in 1867.  Now, that dormant threat has reemerged under US President Donald Trump. His erratic behaviour, inflammatory rhetoric, and willingness to unravel longstanding treaties signals a danger that Canada cannot ignore.  As a result, Ottawa must prepare for the unthinkable – a military incursion from the south, driven by a deranged leader whose actions echo Russia’s prelude to invading Ukraine.

© Image Comics.  SOURCE: https://gizmodo.com/us-canada-invasion-comic-trump-tariffs-sales-image-2000561632

 

Trump seems to be following Vladimir Putin’s playbook.  Before Russia’s 2022 assault on Ukraine, the Russian president spent years laying groundwork — claiming historical rights, questioning borders, and using economic pressure to destabilize Kyiv.  Trump is taking a similar approach by challenging the 1908 Canada–US border treaty, calling it outdated and asserting American claims to Canadian land, water, and the Great Lakes.  On March 4, 2025, he launched a trade war by imposing a 25% tariff on Canadian goods despite a free trade agreement he signed with Canada in 2020.  Following a tense phone call with Trump the following day Prime Minister Justin Trudeau decided to warn Canadians that the tariffs were a prelude aimed to weaken Canada’s economy with the goal of annexation by the US.

If one looks closely Trump’s actions fit the pattern Putin used – economic leverage and territorial claims to justify aggression.  His concerns about illegal migrants and fentanyl originating from Canada have evolved into trade warfare and hints of military action. Should Trump escalate his approach, he might consider deploying US troops to “secure” what he perceives as American interests on Canadian soil.  This potential aggression necessitates that Canada begin preparations for a possible military incursion.

While the likelihood of a US military incursion into Canada is remote, it is not outside the realm of possibility. Speculation about a potential US invasion has emerged in both Canadian and US media.  History has shown that trade wars can escalate into military conflicts, with the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930 serving as a prime example.  This series of tariffs aimed to protect the US economy resulted in retaliatory tariffs that severely hampered global trade and played a significant role in the onset of the Great Depression.  Ultimately, this paved the way for protectionism, nationalism, and the conditions which led to the outbreak of World War II.

If the US occupied Canada it would be disastrous for both nations according to defence experts.  It could provoke a prolonged insurgency, as the sheer size and resilience of the Canadian population would make it difficult for US forces to maintain control.  If just 1% of Canada’s 41 million citizens took up arms – 410,000 people – that would dwarf the Taliban’s forces in Afghanistan.  Guerrilla tactics, engaging in hit-and-run operations rather than conventional warfare, against American targets would define the Canadian resistance

Canadians, despite our reputation for politeness, possess a resilient spirit, which is already surfacing amid a wave of patriotism.  Historical precedents, such as the American experiences in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan, show that occupations often ignite defiance instead of submission.  An invasion of Canada could turn into a quagmire for the US, diverting resources while emboldening Russian and Chinese expansionist ambitions.

Furthermore, Canada cannot assume it would stand alone.  As a NATO member, the expectation would be for allies such as the UK, France, and Germany to respond.  However, NATO is already strained by tensions with Russia in Eastern Europe, and in recent meetings with the leaders of France and the UK, the new prime minister Mark Carney did not get any overt statements of support, suggesting that a North American crisis could weaken the alliance and potentially fracture it in the face of a US attack on Canada.  While Commonwealth countries such as the UK, Australia, and New Zealand might offer support, their capacity to assist Canada militarily would be limited.

The circumstances in which Canada finds itself demands self-reliance.  Ottawa should move immediately to fund modernization of the military, increase military recruitment and troop readiness, and stockpile supplies while strengthening infrastructure, energy independence, and civilian defence.  In addition, Canadian leaders must rally global condemnation of Trump’s annexation threats to isolate the US politically.  But preparation must go beyond words, because if tariffs are Trump’s opening salvo Canada should not wait to see what comes next.

Canada would suffer greatly but it would endure.  Trump seems blind to the prospect of mutual destruction.  But Trump’s actions suggest he is unbound by sanity or history.  Canada can’t dismiss him as eccentric, and based on his words and actions over the past few months, must now treat him and the US as an aggressor.  The US hasn’t been Canada’s enemy since the 19th century, but under Trump, that has changed in the span of a few months.

The Canadian government must act to strengthen the country’s defences, rally allies, and prepare Canadians for a fight we hope to avoid.  Failing to do so would further risk our sovereignty and Canada’s survival as an independent nation.

  

© 2025 The View From Here.  © 2025 Fareed Khan.  All Rights Reserved.

OP-ED -- Canadians are mad as hell and ready for a battle over Trump tariffs

By Fareed Khan

Originally published on TheHill.com: https://thehill.com/opinion/5195289-canada-trade-war-trump/

 

From the frozen and sparsely populated northern territories to Toronto’s crowded streets, and from Newfoundland to Vancouver, a storm of fury is building in Canada. It’s not aimed at Americans — our friends and neighbors — but at President Trump and the enablers who are helping facilitate an economic disaster of his making. 

His policy of 25 percent tariffs on Canadian exports to the U.S. has sparked a needless trade war with America’s closest friend and ally. Canadians are not going to sip maple syrup and just take it. This is a betrayal, plain and simple. We are done being polite and pretending otherwise.

 

Let us start with Trump’s absurd claims about the U.S. getting a raw deal from Canada. He negotiated the U.S., Mexico, Canada Trade Agreement, crowed that it was the best trade deal ever, and signed it in 2020. Now, he is torching it with tariffs built on lies and bluster. He gripes about dairy, claiming Canada slaps 390 percent tariffs on U.S. imports. The reality? It’s only 250 percent, and that’s only above a quota negotiated by Trump that the American dairy industry hasn’t even hit since the deal began. So there have been no tariffs triggered yet — none.

 

Then there is the laughable claim that the U.S. subsidizes Canada. Subsidizes us? American firms own chunks of our economy — our own fault, sure, but it’s the truth. Meanwhile, we have sold you cheap electricity for decades, propping up your electrical grids and your economy. So, who is subsidizing whom? It’s maddening to hear Trump administration officials whine when the U.S. is getting a deal that many Canadian hydro consumers would relish. This is another Trump lie for which Americans and Canadians will pay the price.

 

The rage of Canadians isn’t targeted at the American people but at your leader, whose irrationality seems to have no limits, and toward the sycophants propping him up. Those who voted for him also own this. You elected him again, and now he’s smashing a bond that’s benefitted both countries for generations. Canada is not mere collateral damage. We’re the target, and we’re not going to take it sitting down.

 

Canadian steel and aluminum is also a target where tariffs could severely damage the U.S. economy by disrupting integrated North American supply chains that support millions of jobs. Canada is the largest supplier of these materials with exports valued at over $35 billion annually, feeding the automotive, construction and aerospace sectors which rely on these exports for production. Imposing tariffs would feed inflation and trigger retaliatory measures from Canada.

 

Canada’s retaliation to this trade war has become personal for millions of Canadians. Consumer boycotts of U.S. goods are reshaping store shelves in Canada — not out of spite, but because no one is buying. Canadian retailers are dropping American produce, wines and spirits, and other products and finding alternatives. Lower prices once drove us to your fruits and vegetables, but sourcing elsewhere at a slightly higher price isn’t the hit we feared. Your farmers though, they are going to watch crops rot as markets vanish — just ask Jack Daniel’s what’s happening with their whiskey, which sits on pallets unsold.

 

Energy is a bigger issue. We supply 60 percent of your crude oil, for which your refineries are specifically built. Swapping out Canadian crude for Saudi or Venezuelan won’t help if we cut off oil exports. And then there are autos. Parts can cross the Detroit-Windsor border as many as eight times before a car is completed. That is a business decision made by Ford, GM, and Stellantis, not Canada. Trump’s tariffs are clogging a system that has powered both our economies for decades to the benefit of both nations. But now his tariffs will kill jobs not save them.

 

Canadian travel to the U.S. is also plummeting. Canadians are the No. 1 visitors to the U.S. spending over $20 billion annually but Canadians don’t want to spend their dollars in a nation led by a man that is threatening our country with annexation. Canada will never be the 51st state, and Americans need to accept this.

 

A trillion-dollar trade relationship is coming apart. Although it will sting us, it will cost the U.S. far more. Factories don’t appear overnight, and Trump’s “reciprocal tariff” fallacy won’t balance anything. This slow-motion train wreck is Trump’s doing and Americans will pay a steep price for his economic vandalism.

 

But the real pain comes from the betrayal. Canada has stood with you through wars and other crises. We’re not just neighbours, we’re family. Yet Trump and his cheerleaders treat us like a punching bag, egged on by MAGA cultists who swallowed his nonsense whole. His enablers in Congress and the media parrot every lie, while his base cheers a policy as stupid as it is mean spirited. This isn’t leadership — it’s sowing pandemonium.

 

We don’t want this fight. Stop this insanity and our counter-tariffs vanish fast. We’ll apologize for the corner you boxed us into — not from weakness, but because we cherish what we had. We’ll stay your friends if you want but until then our anger will burn bright — not at Americans, but at the madness you’ve unleashed and the system sustaining him. Trump isn’t just bullying Canada, he is attacking sanity, and we’re not backing down as long as he continues.

 

Fareed Khan is a government relations and public policy professional with over three decades of experience addressing a broad spectrum of domestic and international public policy issues. His op-eds and analyses of public policy have been published in newspapers across Canada.

 

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© 2025 The View From Here.  © 2025 Fareed Khan.  All Rights Reserved.

OP-ED -- Trump’s tariff policies could lead to world-wide recession and political instability

History has shown us that trade wars escalate global instability and can often be a prelude to open conflict.

 

By Fareed Khan

 

Originally published on: https://rabble.ca/politics/canadian-politics/trumps-tariff-policies-could-lead-to-world-wide-recession-and-political-instability/

 

Since Donald Trump’s re-election as president of the United States a storm of economic and political turmoil has loomed over Canada and the world, driven by Trump’s determination to impose aggressive tariff policies on America’s friends and allies. The 25 per cent tariffs that went into effect on March 4 on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China — America’s largest trading partners — alongside threats of tariffs against the European Union and other nations, risks plunging the global economy into a deep recession, if not an outright economic depression. 

  

If we take lessons from history such economic upheaval could ignite political instability and possible military conflict, but with the US positioned as the antagonist this time against its long-standing friends and allies.

The historical parallels between Trump’s trade policies and the economic protectionism of the early 20th century are alarming and unmistakable. In the aftermath of World War I, the US enacted a series of tariffs aimed at protecting its economy. The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930 raised duties on hundreds of imports, prompting retaliatory tariffs from other nations and severely constricted global trade. These measures contributed significantly to the onset of the Great Depression, which ultimately became a catalyst for protectionism, resulting in the rise of nationalism and fascism, which led to World War II.

The interconnectedness of national economies around the world demonstrated that the economic volatility generated by those tariffs had far-reaching and lethal consequences.

Economists and historians alike agree that historically there has been a clear connection between trade wars and military conflicts. French economist Frédéric Bastiat is often quoted for his insight that “when goods do not cross frontiers, armies will.” 

His words resonate today when we consider the possible repercussions of the trade war initiated by the Trump administration. When economic ties fray and nations retreat into isolationism, a vacuum is created, one that can be easily filled by inflamed nationalist sentiments. If we look at the reaction of many Americans on social media to Trump’s denigrating remarks about Canada and his repeated comments about annexing the country as the 51st state, we will find many instances of chauvinistic nationalism with militaristic narratives targeting Canada by Trump’s MAGA loyalists.

Economists have consistently warned that the consequences of Trump’s tariffs will not be confined to the countries directly affected. Increased costs on imports will destabilize local economies, raise consumer prices, and ultimately diminish the purchasing power of consumers both in the US, Canada and any other nations targeted by tariffs. Key industries will find demand for their products from export markets reduced significantly as countries which are their primary foreign markets retaliate with tariffs of their own.

The potential for an inflationary spiral also looms large as tariffs will increase the costs of goods in all sectors of the economy, which will be felt by consumers. Coupled with reduced spending power, this could easily push the American and Canadian economy into recession, and the downturn would ripple through global markets given that the US accounts for 26.1 per cent of the world’s GDP. American families, far from reaping the promised benefits of Trump’s tariff policy, will likely face higher unemployment and suffer a decline in living standards instead.

In addition, one cannot overlook the broader geopolitical implications of Trump upending decades of American foreign policy. While casting traditional friends and allies like Canada in an adversarial role, the Trump administration has extended an olive branch to Russia — a nation that historically embodies potential threats to US and European security and to democracy. This inversion of relationships has created a precarious diplomatic landscape, wherein mutual trust and cooperation have been eroded, and the alliance that preserved peace in Europe since World War II has been shaken to core.

With Trump appearing more inclined to treat Russia as a partner while labeling Canada and its European allies as economic adversaries, the global political order has reached an unsettling and critical inflection point with broad implications for the global political order. Just as tariffs have the potential to economically destabilize countries, the geopolitical tensions resulting from this seismic shift in US foreign policy could eventually ignite conflicts that run far deeper and wider than trade concerns.

This begs the question whether there is a path forward to restore economic stability and the international order that has maintained economic stability and an uneasy global peace since World War II. The answer is that there is and it is the US Congress, which would need to take decisive action to reign in a president who is shredding relationships that have been built over eight decades. Because while Trump may wield power through executive orders to impose tariffs, Congress possesses the authority to repeal the laws enabling such actions. But it will take a united stand by courageous members of Congress and Senators against a president pursuing policies that are contrary to the interests of the US and its allies.

History serves as a stern reminder of the devastation wrought by trade wars. If Trump’s “America first” approach to international trade compels other nations to adopt more protectionist stances, economic systems around the world will destabilize, while political extremism rises, and the spectre of military aggression looms ever larger. The connection between trade and peace has been articulated by thinkers like Immanuel Kant, whose assertion still holds water today, that the spirit of trade is synonymous with prosperity, while the absence of commerce could facilitate war.

If Canada wishes to avert the potential catastrophic outcomes associated with trade wars — outcomes that our history has painfully illustrated — it is imperative for our leaders to recognize the urgency of the moment. As the world stands at an inflection point in history, Canada and its allies need to push back hard against American tariffs, and recommit to diplomacy and trade while opposing division and hostility. Just as the present is informed by the lessons of the past, it is up to our leaders to remember that history and ensure that we chart a course that will avoid a potential conflict which would have global ramifications.

 

Fareed Khan is a government relations and strategic communications professional with more than 30 years of experience addressing public policy issues across a broad spectrum of porttfolios.  He has written and commented extensively about public policy issues in Canada and internationally.

 

© 2025 Rabble.ca.  This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
© 2025 The View From Here.  © 2025 Fareed Khan.  All Rights Reserved.

As Canada marks the 60th anniversary of its flag Canadians need to unite against the fascist agenda of Donald Trump

Applying the label of "fascist" to Trump is not a casual accusation.  It is a descriptor that carries the weight of history, a term that evokes images of oppression, authoritarianism, and the suppression of dissent.   And in this context, it is an accurate assessment of the man and not hyperbole.  

 

By Fareed Khan

 

February 15th marks the 60th anniversary of Canada's iconic maple leaf flag.  It’s a day to celebrate the values that it represents – diversity, inclusivity, equity, pluralism and compassion.  Yet, as Canadians gather to commemorate this milestone, a chilling reality casts a long shadow over the "Great White North".   The threat of Donald Trump, a "malignant, narcissistic sociopath" whose rhetoric and actions since being sworn in as US president for the second time, echoes the darkest chapters of modern history, one where fascism was ascendant, and one which demands resolute action.

Trump's increasingly hostile posture towards Canada since being re-elected has alarmed and angered Canadians from coast to coast.  His threats to wreck this country’s economy with punishing tariffs and annex Canada as the “51st state” represent a direct assault on this nation’s existence as a free and sovereign nation and all that it represents.

Since being sworn in only a few weeks ago, his presidency has been punctuated by a constant stream of inflammatory pronouncements and policies, and is a masterclass in demagoguery and divisiveness.   His executive orders targeting migrants, refugees, the LGBTQ2 community, women, Muslims, and countless other vulnerable minorities in the US are also threats to those communities in Canada with Trump’s unofficial declaration of war on this country and its people.  The barrage of hate, misogyny, transphobia, and xenophobia that has emanated from the Oval Office, along with his ultimatums and decrees to Canada and other nations, are the actions of someone who wants to be a tyrant and cares little about the norms of diplomacy and international relations.

Applying the label of "fascist" to Trump is not a casual accusation.  It is a descriptor that carries the weight of history, a term that evokes images of oppression, authoritarianism, and the suppression of dissent.   And in this context, it is an accurate assessment of the man and not hyperbole.   Eleven former high-ranking officials from Trump's first administration, including his longest-serving chief of staff and the former head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, have publicly acknowledged the alarming reality that Trump is a fascist.   Their insider perspectives paint a picture of a man driven by a lust for power, contempt for democratic norms, and a willingness to use the powers of the presidency to violate treaties, laws and fundamental rights in pursuit of his personal and political agenda.

To millions of Canadian immigrants Trump’s threats against Canada are a threat to their homes, their livelihoods and their families.   They or their parents chose Canada by design, choosing to be Canadian not American, seeking better lives for themselves and their children, and refuge from the very ideologies Trump embodies.  To them, and indeed to all patriotic Canadians, Trump's threats are not just political manoeuvring, they are a direct assault on Canada's sovereignty, freedom and independence.

Trump's repeated and increasingly ominous musings about annexing Canada are not the bluster of a sane politician.  They are, rather, a window into the mind of a man whose sociopathic tendencies were laid bare for all to see in the 2017 book "The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump".   It offered a chilling diagnosis of the most powerful politician in the world.   Twenty-seven psychiatrists and mental health professionals, using their expertise, concluded that Trump poses a grave threat not just to the United States but to the entire world.  They described him as impulsive, immature, and incompetent, prone to sliding into the role of a tyrant when wielding ultimate power.  They characterized his sociopathic characteristics as undeniable, his malignant narcissism as profound, and warned that his unchecked behaviour could lead to devastating global consequences, including World War III.

Trump is not a man with whom Canada can engage in a conventional diplomatic dance like it would with a normal national leader.   He is a man who, through his words and actions, has declared himself an enemy to Canada with his tariff threats and musings about absorbing Canada into the US as the the 51st state.   So to this nation's political leaders the message is clear, we must treat Trump as the existential threat that he is and prepare to defend our nation with all means available.

Canada's news media also have a critical role to play in the battle for the body and soul of this country.   It is time for journalists and media executives to use the same frank language to talk about Trump that those with the most intimate knowledge about him have used.   The media must tell the whole story of the fascist sociopath occupying the Oval Office, and must stop couching the threat that he is in polite language.   They must convey the very real danger that we all face, and awaken the Canadian public to the peril that is upon us.

During World War II, over 45,000 Canadian soldiers, sailors, and airmen sacrificed their lives to defend this nation from a fascist threat.   Millions more from allied nations also paid the ultimate price, and their courage and sacrifice preserved Canada's freedom.  But freedom is never a permanent state.   It is a constant struggle, that requires vigilance and the willingness to confront evil where it appears and defend what is right.   To honor their legacy, we must stand firm against the resurgence of the hateful ideology of fascism embodied in Donald Trump, and refuse to let the very costly lessons of history be forgotten.

This 60th anniversary of Canada's maple leaf flag demands more than a simple celebration and patriotic flag waving.   It must be a moment for sober reflection, for unity, and for action in defence of this nation and its people.   Every Canadian who loves this country, who believes in the principles of justice and equality, who is committed to the vision of the just society that former prime minister Pierre Trudeau articulated over 50 years ago, must rise to this challenge.   We must stand together, shoulder to shoulder against Donald Trump, and defend our flag, our country, and our sovereignty against this fascist, racist, misogynistic, and transphobic demagogue who seeks to destroy our nation.

The time for decisive action to counter Trump's threats against Canada is now if Canadians want the red and white maple leaf to fly over a sovereign Canada for generations to come.  To borrow from the national anthem, “O Canada.  We stand on guard for thee”.

 

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