Trump is starting a trade war. If he wants to absorb Canada, what comes next will be worse
The United States and Canada have entered into a trade war with the recent imposition of a 25 per cent tariff by the U.S. While experts believe that tariffs alone may not crush the Canadian economy, the situation could escalate into a wider economic war if President Donald Trump is serious about annexing Canada.
The threat of economic force to compel Canada to become the 51st state in the U.S. is a shocking rhetoric that has raised concerns among national security experts and historians. The concept of Manifest Destiny, that the United States is exceptional and destined for expansion, has been cited by Trump as a vision for America’s future.
The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) at the University of Waterloo has launched the Canada at Economic War project to assess the threats Canada faces short of a shooting war. The project highlights the economic coercion China has directed towards Canada and warns of potential escalation with the U.S.
While the Trump administration sees tariffs and a trade war as beneficial to the U.S. treasury, Canada is viewed as a target due to its economic, political, and social weaknesses. The high taxation, lack of productivity, and challenges in integrating new immigrants have made Canada vulnerable to economic attacks.
Historically, the threat of American annexation drove Canadian politics and policy decisions in the 19th century. The fear of annexation led to the Confederation of Canada in 1867 and the expansion of the country’s borders westward. The reflex response of Canadians to Trump’s annexation rhetoric has been dismissal, but experts warn that integration would be costly for American taxpayers.
As the trade war unfolds, Canada must work to counter the annexation rhetoric and highlight the costs of absorbing Canada to U.S. lawmakers and the public. By emphasizing the economic, political, and social implications of annexation, Canada can push back against the bullying tactics of the Trump administration and protect its sovereignty.
