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Tariff Mindf**kery

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Like many others I watched Donald Trump’s so-called “liberation” speech with great interest. Getting through his mind numbing rhetoric and cavalcade of falsehoods was a feat in itself but important to stick through it, nevertheless. Afterward there was of course the usual analysis and reaction, but what absolutely astonished me was the response of the CBC reporter who attended the speech in person. With an ear-to-ear grin, she crowed about how Canada and Mexico had been left off the list of tariffed countries. In other words, we were escaping additional tariffs – this time.

Yikes. Agreed that we dodged a bullet, but we already have the massive tariffs he imposed last month, so it’s essential that we be extremely aware of something that seems to be eluding us here, and that’s the tendency to begin normalising this tariff situation. We absolutely must not; there’s nothing normal about what Trump is doing to us and Mexico and has now forced on many other parts of the world.

There’s a very famous scientific experiment that has repeatedly been proven to be true no matter the species and no matter the time or place. And that’s that if something is introduced very gradually, no matter how awful it is, we will eventually get used to it.

A frog placed in a pot of hot water will immediately jump out, but if you place him in room temperature water and very slowly turn up the heat, he will stay and die.

A much more extreme example is how Hitler gradually reduced the rights of Jews and other identifiable minorities, bit by inexorable bit, until they had lost absolutely everything, including their lives. The tendency of any species to normalise was part of the reason why he was able to get away with this process.

Because of this tendency, we have to be on guard, now more than ever. The will-he-won’t-he, to-ing and fro-ing, maybe-maybe-not, how-bad-will-it-be tariff puppetry has carried on for months now, amping up the fear and worry and creating sleepless nights and high blood pressure all over this country.

And now, all of a sudden, an escape! The tremendous sigh of relief that the tariffs weren’t worse is a prime example of the mindf**kery we have been subject to since last November. But in reality, nothing much has changed. Many people’s jobs, particularly in the auto, aluminum, steel and lumber industries are on the brink. There are 25% tariffs on anything falling outside of CUSMA (in the U.S. it’s known as USMCA). It’s vitally important to remember that the tariffs already being levied are terrible economic hits that will disrupt our economy and potentially devastate many people’s lives.

Was this an attempt at softening us up so that we will be more compliant once a new PM is in place? I believe so, because I don’t think that Trump has at all changed his mind about subsuming us and turning us into a colony to be exploited. We are still where we were.

It’s therefore vital that we keep forging ahead with plans to diversify, to remove interprovincial trade barriers, and above all to separate ourselves from the U.S. The continued boycott of their products, and especially the avoidance of such conglomerates as Amazon (Bezos), X (Musk), Etsy, eBay and others are crucial as we continue to carve our own path. CUSMA is dead, or will be soon. There’s no going back, and the politicians now trying to get our votes need to understand that without fail.

The mindf**king needs to stop.

32 thoughts on “Tariff Mindf**kery”

  1. I thought he already imposed the tariffs on Canada and Mexico, he was just making us all join in. It is such a joke. Like you said, we all need to keep on our toes. It is going to get scary.

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    1. Oh yes, we already have massive tariffs; we just escaped this particular round of them which would have been far worse of course. Agreed; he’s making everyone join in by starting a global trade war. He keeps saying that tariffs will make the U.S. “wealthy again” but of course he’s going to hit his own citizens just as hard as everyone else. He’s supposed to be this brilliant businessman but clearly is a business moron. A joke is right except that it’s not …

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      1. Yeah such a great businessman that every business he had went bankrupt. I suspect he is doing it so there will be more money in the purse for him and the rich people so they can have massive tax cuts. I really don’t think he cares about the people of America, not at all. He just used them to get voted in. It is very sad. They need to wake up and start fighting back.

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        1. I agree completely. He was extremely unsuccessful and was basically saved by that tv show he did. There’s no doubt in my mind that this is all about tax cuts for the wealthy with no thought to what this is going to do the rest of his country. I also suspect that he must get the tax cuts because he was bankrolled by one or more of these oligarchs, Musk for sure, and now has to pay them back. He’s a sociopath and is acting like one.

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    1. Thank you very much. We have a long way to go – maybe longer if Trump gets his way about extending his term – so we need to stay focussed. We’re not used to behaving this way, especially with the U.S. so these first few months are going to be difficult.

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  3. We are continuing to resist every step of the way. And there is a slight glimmer of hope; in Wisconsin, the democrat won a special election to their state supreme court. Republicans who hold town hall meetings are getting blasted by their constituents. Yesterday, 4 republican senators voted with the democrats in rejecting trump’s tariffs. We have a long road ahead of us, but we have to cling to these little victories.

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    1. Trump is a complete scourge who is doing unbelievable damage everywhere he can, including to the people who elected him. I’m convinced that he doesn’t care about Americans at all, just as long as he and his oligarchs get money.

      I’ve been following the opposition developments in your country and am glad to see this reaction as well as how they are standing up to Trump’s intimidations. You’re right, you have to start somewhere and every bit counts. In Canada we believe that he may not leave when his term is up and will look for every excuse to stay but in the meantime we are now looking at a Trump-induced world recession. Yikes.

      I specifically wish you the best of luck in dealing with him, Tricia, but good luck to all of us, too.

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      1. He is exactly that, Lynette. He is a complete egomaniac and cares only for himself and what those around him can do for him. Kamala Harris would have been an amazing president. But we live in a misogynistic and racist country, so the white guy won. Resist, resist and resist even more.

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        1. Obviously I’m not American but I thought she would have been so great. And compared to that narcissistic sociopath – what a loss for your country. Resistance is right. It’s going to become a lot worse – both for the U.S. and for us – before it gets better. And from us to all likeminded Americans: elbows up!

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  4. I could not believe Doug Ford’s positive spin on these S—nanigans Lynette. He too was giddy. It seems that even though your are bruised and bloodied, you feel much better when the beatings drop from daily to weekly. One of my friends sent out an E-mail with the fact that 136 nations stepped in to help America during 9/11 and never asked to be paid back. One American reader jumped in to say us Canadians had better reassess our position and then said that despite our country being 20% larger than the U.S., we only sent 1,000,000 troops into battle during WWII while America sent over 16,000,000. I waited a day or two before responding that we sent 10% of our population and America sent 11% and that our mortality rate was 50% higher than theirs. I also pointed out we got into the war in 1939 while they got in in 1941. He never responded to my math, but he did say there will be some pain as the new economic system is established. Duh! He finished by saying that Trump is not crazy, he just talks like he is. I beg to differ. No point arguing with someone who has clearly drunk the Kool-aid. Trump likes to put on good TV and that is what it is to him. Oh, and there were tariffs on an uninhabited island and no tariffs on Russia. I think we can see where this is going. Happy Tariff Day Lynette. Allan

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    1. I saw some of Ford’s giddy response, too. Not at all paying attention to the people who are so affected by all the other tariffs. I noticed that later on he toned it down, but the damage was already done.

      The level of historical ignorance and refusal to accept logical, factual information from some quarters is breathtaking, Allan. I shouldn’t be, but I’m continually shocked by it. Maybe that’s a good thing though because I at least haven’t normalised it! Agreed that there’s just no talking to some people. You’re right, they have swallowed the kool-aid and will follow Trump into that sauna they call hell.

      Trump is a narcissistic sociopath whose self-involvement is only eclipsed by his greed and the necessity to placate the oligarchs who bankrolled him. He doesn’t care at all about his own people. Thanks, Allan. Happy Tariff Day to you, too. 😳

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  5. I was also shocked at Katie’s response. But I thought Carney did well to keep us grounded. Of course Danielle Smith was quick to call the trade war over to help out PP.

    The only thing I hope from yesterday is that more countries will be willing and able to work with us now.

    Maggie

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    1. I agree, Maggie. There was a lot of information in the various reactions to our “escape” – likely temporarily – from the infamous list. Katie and Doug Ford were giddy, Smith with her ridiculous comments about the trade war being over just as giddy and all three of them, especially Smith, with their heads up their butts.

      Yes, I hope to see more support from other countries and a real push from our own on breaking down interprovincial trade barriers and diversification away from the U.S.

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  6. An excellent piece of writing, Lynette! My first reaction in hearing that we weren’t on “the list” was ok but what about tomorrow or the next day… Nothing has changed, the original tariffs stand. I very much agree that we have to diversify our markets, and build new alliances. Continue shopping differently and never become complacent or accepting.

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    1. Thank you very much, Belinda. That was one of my first reactions, too. Trump is completely untrustworthy so we might be on that list a week from now. Who knows. There’s no doubt that we have difficult times coming but we’re going to have to be tough and stay our course of diversification and boycotts and yes, never becoming complacent or accepting.

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  7. And what most people don’t realize is that agricultural exports (specifically canola) are sitting at a 100% tariff in China; one of the biggest markets. This is because of our 100% tariff on their EV cars. It annoys me that the auto industry (with a GDP far lower than agriculture) gets way more attention. Now, getting that off my chest, I will totally agree with you about how we can’t normalize that that orange glob has been doing to us and the world. It’s 1938 all over again but with different target groups. And yes, he still wants our resources, and we have to fight back. I see their tourism industry is really taking a hit. On the other hand, there were a fair number of America skiers at Louise.
    #elbowsup

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    1. I definitely am aware of the tariff situation with China and yes, the auto industry gets way more attention, probably because most people buy cars but don’t specifically think about agriculture. We certainly need to be much better about that.

      Agreed that the U.S. tourism industry is taking a hit and now the EU is encouraging a boycott as well. If Americans still want to come here to holiday I’m fine with that. It’s good for our economy and the fight is with the U.S. government, not individuals.

      It’s really unbelievable how Trump can continue to pursue this moronic policy. As long as he can put money in his pocket and in the pockets of the wealthy people who bankrolled him he doesn’t care at all about anyone else.

      Elbows up. 🇨🇦

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  9. Thanks for this thoughtful post. Us Europeans are called robbers and rapists.. Fortunately I have a wide sense of humor.. I’m asking myself what Americans who voted for Mr. Trump think of this.. Democracy starts to smell like autocracy. Those who act in his benefit will be rewarded and those who are critical will be punished.. This morning I came across this: https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/04/donald-trump-tariffs-corruption/ Might fit in. Take care.

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    2. You’re very welcome, Harrie. Trump uses the most inflammatory language – as you know – to try to control people, organisations, countries, unions, and then follows up with whatever hammer he thinks will work.

      There are many Americans now regretting their votes for Trump but there are those who don’t understand what he’s doing and are digging in further in the literal belief that he’s going to “make America great again.” For example, so many believe that manufacturing needs to be returned to the U.S. – an idea that Trump constantly puts forward – but for the most part it’s automation that’s caused the enormous job losses in that sector. Bringing the actual manufacturers back won’t return jobs.

      Thank you for the link; much appreciated. What the authors say is exactly what Trump is doing.

      Cheers.

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  10. I couldn’t help but laugh how Trump imposed tariffs on uninhabited islands that are just home to penguins. But anyway, agreed, it’s very unsettling how we are beginning to normalize tariffs and Trump’s behaviour. The global stock markets are reacting though. It will be hard to ignore the impact this will have on the economy and everyday life. It’ll be a slow burn. So here’s hoping we’re not like the frog in the pot of water. Elbows up!

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    1. Hahaha. 😊 Yes, I read about that. He also tariffed one of his own air bases that’s located on a Pacific Ocean atoll. No one else lives there. Tells you how much thought and care went into this. He is well on the way to beggaring his own country. A “stable genius”? More like a moron trying to find his other brain cell. Yes, very important that we stay the course and not wind up like the frog. Elbows up! 🇨🇦

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  11. That’s the real risk: the normalizing. He has succeeded in normalizing lies and incoherence and vulgarity and brutality. (And so the lobster stays in the pot, as, tiny increment by tiny increment, the water temperature rises. Until it is too late.)

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    1. I still feel amazed at how people have managed to pretzel themselves into justifying his behaviour. Fingers crossed that we’re more quickly able to feel the hot water and do what needs to be done. It’s going to be long and hard though and our (new) government is going to have to act quickly and precisely when necessary.

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