Close Reading

Canadian here, I just feel really bad for the normal Americans who didn't vote for this orange clown who seems hellbent on making their lives miserable. We don't hold it against you, and this is a war with your government, not the people. Americans will always be our brothers and sisters, we just gotta get through this extremely weird and disturbing chapter in history. My grandpa fought side by side with Americans in WW2, and gave his life to stop fascist idiots like Trump. History can't, and won't repeat itself. Unfortunately, this all needs to happen for pro-trump Americans to feel the pain and realize what he is.

As a Canadian I am shocked that very few Americans seem to care at what Trump is doing to their country. It's not the tariffs on all of the US's former allies but that he has dumped its allies to appease Trumps good friend Putin. I am looking at dismay watching the US go from being the leader of the free world to just another dictatorship run by billionaires, America is Russia. It's up to you America to stop this, no one is going to come to help you. Good luck you are going to need it.

Donald Trump clames he is a business man ,but his businesses always seem to fail.Yet he comes out Scott free.Perhsps this is why he does not understand how mutually beneficial trade is.Trade barriers have not worked in the past.But everyone else is stupid for not applying them,apparently.

It’s truly unbelievable how gullible people can be, and I’m not saying this to be cruel, this is just the straight truth. Justin Trudeau is a proven liar and an opportunist, plain and simple. Time and time again, he’s shown that he’ll say whatever fits his agenda, no matter how dishonest or manipulative. He’s openly embraced and pushed harmful, nonsensical ideologies, including radical transgender policies aimed at children. Without question, he’s been the most damaging Prime Minister in Canadian history. Under his leadership, Canada isn’t just struggling, it’s circling the drain. That speech everyone’s praising — he didn’t even write it. It’s all just another performance, another chance to prop up his fake image. The truth is, Trudeau has done far more harm to this country than good, and that’s the reality whether people want to admit it or not.\n\nAnd for all the Trump haters out there, it’s incredible, actually baffling, how nobody seems to be talking about the billions and billions of taxpayer dollars that have been completely wasted — just vanished into thin air. You don’t hear a word about that. It’s unbelievable. Meanwhile, America’s borders were secure under Trump, but you never hear about that either. And let’s not forget, men weren’t allowed to compete against women in sports, which should be common sense, but somehow even that’s controversial now. The silence on all of it is staggering. It’s absolute insanity.

He's wasting his breath. Trump supporters, JD and Trump himself, are too dimwitted. They are bullies, and all they understand is anger and fighting.\n\nIt almost seems as if Trump wants Canada and Mexico to cave by sending their economy into a recession. Basically, saying let's have a recession war and see who blinks first.\n\nCalling Trump smart is a stretch.

Here's my issue with Trudeau ...you now placed your country in a position where this becomes a game of tariff chicken. This won't end well for Canada no matter what tariffs you try to envoke to counter Trump. The U.S. aren't dependent on Canada. So, what is your real endgame here matching the tariffs? Is that what the people of Canada really want to get into? Doesn't seem smart to me. It just looks like a lazy game of posturing trying impose some front like the U.S. need to back down from Canada. What a joke.

I’m not American, so I don’t understand how Trump can have all this control. It seems to me that having the power to issue executive orders can be a dangerous thing. What happened to the checks and balances?

I believe we need to look at WHY Trump is placing tariffs and it does seem more than just fentanyl and a protected border. I read that Canada has had tariffs on American imports for years before Trump took office.

Spain here. Fully support Canada and awaiting “our turn” since it seems Trump is targeting friend countries.

I really wonder what Trump's end game is with this trade war/tariffs situation. Doesn't seem like it's gonna end well.

I am American independent voter who vote against Treasonous Trump this past election of 2024 in favor of Kamala Harris. While many of my fellow Americans voted for Trump many others like me did not. Now so many good and event Americans are going to suffer because of many Maga or Maga supporting Americans who foolishly chose to support Trump and his lies. Any pain and suffering Anti Trump supporting Americans, along international American Allies and theuir people, suffer will be squarely on the shoulders of Maga and Maga supporting Americans.\n\nHow Trumps first term wasn’t a wake up call and eye opener to how terrible he was and is as president is beyond me. He, treasonous Trump, did nothing to help our economy which essentially stalled or went into generally neutral state with essentially no growth positively or negatively, followed by a near complete nose dive due to Treasonous Trump’s poor handling and equally poor response to the Covid-!9 Pandemic. How people could seemed to forget that Treasonous Trump, not Joe Biden, was responsible for the current sate of things following the pandemic is beyond me. \n\nMaga and Maga supporting Americans have been conned again by Treasonous Trump, who not only failed to properly respond to the Covid pandemic but also incited and or encouraged many of Maga supporters to essentially attack the US Capitol in hopes of stopping Joe Biden’s Presidential Certification. Those in the Inter national world are not alone in their condemnation of the disgrace and embarrassment that sis current US President Trump. True Americans who believe in our constitution and rule of law as decreed by the founding fathers of our nation must unfortunately bare part of the shame Maga America has brought upon our country as a whole.Truly good and decent Americans must bare the shame of now living in a country that much International world now no longer trusts and has lost respect for. For all the hateful Maga thinking and or supporting Americans there are as many truly good non maga Americans who want more peaceful relations with allies in the international world. Sadly because of Trump and his hate many must now unjustly suffer .

It seems like Trump is trying to destroy the US for Putin \nCanada many Citizens in the EU stand with you and boycott American goods! There is even an Danish APP made that helps NOT to choose goods from America, when we shop in EU. \nThe only thing Trump understands is the power of money

Seems the lawlessness of preditory behavior is being welcomed with impunity. Fentanyl is legalized here in America. Hospice used it to basically murder our dear brother and mother, with no options searched for at all. They can't touch them nor others who passed over in glory anymore. Emotions aside of our Lord's strength, America is clearly reaping what it's sown. Vote for an inexperienced criminal ya receive criminal behavior. The currency is love, the language is love. Period. Lastly, self pity is no excuse Mr. Trump. Blessings....

The US isn't launching a trade war against anyone. We are closing up shop and are getting ready to take care of our own. There is a massive difference. We cannot be expected to continue supporting other countries economies and defense obligations, when we have 2 generations of working class citizens unable to afford a home or have children. We have entire countries we could fill with the homeless and incarcerated, and veterans who see little to no positive treatment or respect within the job market. Things are already very very bad here in the states. I don't think many Americans realize how bad the economy is. Tariffs will force US companies to reduce the outsourcing of jobs, and force other countries who are over-reliant on trade from the States, to cultivate their own self-sufficiency. This may seem hypocritical when it comes to China, but that isn't a problem you can solve overnight. \n\nTo make it clear, Americans are going to suffer in the wake of this tariff decision, but that is the price we pay to force ourselves to change. We have made ourselves into a very weak country because of overreliance on other countries trade, and other countries overreliance on our intelligence, infrastructure, medical advancements, technological advancements, and defense capabilities. The american consumer and taxpayer front the bills for all of this, and they are suffering. This isn't a war on the rest of the world. It us telling everyone else that we can no longer be relied upon because we are weak. \n\nI didnt' even vote Trump the first two times he ran. But things have now gotten so bad that I was forced into voting for him this time. Why? Because he's a bull in a china shop. I expect him to tear every damn thing apart he can within our government. I want everything destroyed so it can be rebuilt by people who aren't complacent.

Trudeau is correct. I am ashamed of our current usa government and its treatment of its closest allies. We are no longer the leader of the free world. \nUnder trump the usa seems to be siding with putin and disrespecting, victimizing and bullying our closest and best allies. He refers to trudeau as governor, inferring he will be governor if canada were to join the usa. Such childishness and immaturity from the leader of our country. Our allies will realign with other countries. The usa has lost the free worlds trust. It will take the usa 20 plus years to regain respect.\nTrudeau is extremely well spoken, calm and states facts. How different from president trump.

If we didn’t before do we now believe Trump is a Russian asset? Seems like it for sure the past few days.

Anyone notice how MAGA griped about food prices and the cost of living in general during the Biden Administration but seem perfectly content with high prices with Trump in there. Biden deported more people during his term than Trump did during his first term but MAGAs don't want to acknowledge that.

Trump doesn’t represent me. I did not vote for him and it seems like they used underhanded voter suppression tactics to get him elected. He is a fraud, a bully, and a traitor.

I believed the incompetent leader we have in the UK was the worst, but it appears that Trump and Vance make Starmer and Rayner seem appealing—and believe me, they certainly are not

All Americans that are anti trump, make a stand, a proper one and get him out. Seems so many could do so much more than what is currently being done. You need to do what Vermont did everywhere!

Making an enemy of Trump is not going to work. Trudeau has no way of knowing who is coming here illegally. Our border is far too gigantic and mostly unguarded. Secure the border and Trump will back off. Your second choice will be 3rd world war. If you think Putin is going to go backwards on this you are mistaken. The Russians have invested the lives of thousands of their children so far. You don't seem to understand how dangerous a game you are playing. You are naive Trudeau and leading us to the brink of hell.

The whole New World Order thing seems to becoming reality. Trump is aligning with Russia and enemy countries while simultaneously sabotaging ours. They want to take over the world. It’s scary.

Anti-Americanism??? These reporters don’t seem to understand this is a result of trump’s actions and his alone. Any pain felt on both sides of the border are his fault and only his. trump did this. Your reporting should reflect this reality and blame needs to be given where it is due - at trump’s feet.

It seems like Trump is trying to suffocate Canada economically and forcing them to be the 51st state this is the only reason I feel like he would do this.... truly sad for the Canadian people sorry that my country is doing this to you

CNN has to be on their A-game when interviewing Trump Admin people in the next few days. They need to explain why their dear Leader has decided to do it, and to challenge their bullshit. There seems to be no rationale reason.

This is sad....Trump \ndoes not care about\nthe American people.\nTrudeau seems more\nempathetic toward \nthe American people\nthan Trump....?

I wish I was born in Canada, this guy seems like he knows how to do politics then Trump does.

It seems like I have made the biggest mistake of my life to vote for Trump. He's a threat to everyone on this planet.

Trump seems to be an agent provocateur for Russia. Becomes more obvious each day.

Trumps own words, “Vote for me, you will never have to vote again!” \nThis one is showing up on several pages. Make up your own mind. \nThere is something rancid in America, a slow, creeping rot that smells like cold McDonald’s fries, aerosol hairspray, and the unmistakable musk of a country too sedated to recognize its own hostage situation. For years, the idea that Donald Trump was compromised by Russia was dismissed as paranoid fantasy—just another wild-eyed conspiracy theory, another overblown headline in the endless saga of American political dysfunction. \nBut now, two former Soviet intelligence officers—Alnur Mussayev and Yuri Shvets—are saying it outright: Trump was recruited by the KGB in 1987, groomed as an asset, and remains under Russian control to this day. \nAnd the worst part? He’s already back in the White House. \nThat’s right, America. You did it. You walked face-first into the banana peel of history, slipped, and fell straight into the arms of Vladimir Putin. Trump was kicked out in 2020, spent four years plotting his comeback, and now he’s returned, like a bloated, orange cockroach that just won’t die. The Kremlin’s favorite stooge is running the country again, and this time, he knows exactly how to stay in power. \nIf you think this is just another round of the Trump Show, you’re not paying attention. This isn’t politics anymore. This is treason. This is foreign subversion. This is a God forsaken coup in slow motion. \nLet’s break it down, nice and simple. \nAlnur Mussayev isn’t some Twitter conspiracy theorist with a tinfoil hat and a podcast. He’s the former head of Kazakhstan’s National Security Committee, which means he knows exactly how Russian intelligence works—because he was part of the system. And what he’s saying should make every American’s blood run cold. \nAccording to Mussayev, Trump was identified, recruited, and compromised by the KGB in 1987 during his first trip to Moscow. They saw him for what he was: a narcissistic, greedy, attention-starved buffoon who could be easily manipulated. The KGB flattered him, promised him business deals, and planted the seeds of political ambition in his empty little head. And from that moment on, he was their man. \nBut Mussayev isn’t alone. Former KGB major Yuri Shvets said the exact same thing in 2021: Trump was cultivated by Soviet intelligence because he was an easy mark—too stupid to realize he was being played, too egotistical to care. They saw him as a useful idiot—a man who could one day be nudged into power, a walking, talking Trojan Horse for Russian interests. \nAnd now? The plan has worked. Trump spent four years in office weakening America from within, got booted out, and now he’s back for round two. \nIf you had told the American public in 1962 that a Soviet-backed asset would one day sit in the White House, they would have burned Washington to the ground before letting it happen. But today? Nobody seems to care. \nThe media treats this like just another wacky subplot in the never-ending Trump reality show. Congress is too busy fighting over meaningless culture war nonsense to do anything about it. And the American public? Exhausted. Numb. Checked out. Years of scandals—Russia collusion, Ukraine blackmail, classified documents, tax fraud, sexual assault, an attempted coup—have fried the country’s brain like an overcooked steak at Mar-a-Lago. \nTrump has done the impossible. He has committed so many crimes, so openly, so brazenly, that none of them matter anymore. \nAnd now, with Mussayev’s revelation that Trump is an active foreign asset, we have finally reached the point where the biggest political scandal in American history is met with a collective shrug. \nThis is how democracy dies—not with a bang, but with a goddamn eye-roll. \nThis is the part where the skeptics start clutching their pearls. “Oh, come on,” they say. “If Trump were really a Russian asset, wouldn’t there be more proof?” \nTo which I say: Are you blind, or just willfully stupid? \nLet’s go through the evidence, shall we? \nTrump spent his entire first term doing exactly what Russia wanted. He attacked NATO, calling it “obsolete” and threatening to pull the U.S. out. He tried to blackmail Ukraine into manufacturing dirt on Joe Biden, because weakening Ukraine helps one man and one man only: Vladimir Putin. He pulled U.S. troops out of Syria, handing power over to Russian forces. He picked fights with Canada and Europe while cozying up to dictators. \nEven now, in his second term, he is more openly pro-Putin than ever. He has made it clear that he will not protect NATO allies from Russian aggression. He is actively dismantling America’s alliances, just as Russia planned. And while Americans scream at each other over whether Target should sell rainbow t-shirts, Trump is quietly selling the country to the Kremlin. \nAt some point, you have to stop calling it a coincidence and start calling it what it is: treason. \nThe United States is running out of time. If Trump serves out this term without being removed, America as a functioning democracy is finished. \nThe media needs to wake up. Enough with the “Trump fatigue” excuse. This is not just another scandal—this is the single greatest infiltration of American power in history. Journalists need to dig into Mussayev’s claims, demand declassification of intelligence files, and treat this like the national emergency that it is. \nCongress needs to subpoena Mussayev immediately. His testimony must be public, and every document he has should be reviewed. If there is proof that Trump has been compromised since the 1980s, the American people need to know. \nThe Justice Department needs to stop pretending that Trump is just another politician. If there is evidence that the sitting president of the United States is working in Russia’s interests, he must be removed from office and prosecuted for espionage. \nAnd the American public? You have one last chance. This is not about Republican vs. Democrat. This is not about taxes, gas prices, or whatever nonsense outrage is dominating the news today. This is about whether the United States remains a sovereign nation, or if we spend the rest of the century as a Russian client state with a golf course. \nThe sheer volume of Trump's corruption, the blatant nature of his crimes, the mountain of evidence that should have ended his political career a hundred times over—none of it mattered. He survived it all, not because he was innocent, but because he drowned the country in so much scandal that nothing stuck. \nBut this time, it’s different. If Mussayev and Shvets are right, this isn’t just another chapter in the endless Trump circus. This is the culmination of a decades-long Russian intelligence operation to install an asset in the White House. \nThere is no coming back from this. If America lets Trump serve out this term without removing him, then the United States as a democratic republic is finished. The country won’t collapse overnight. There won’t be tanks in the streets. Instead, the destruction of democracy will happen in slow motion—buried under lawsuits, propaganda, and corruption so blatant that people stop caring. \nIf America lets this happen—if Trump is allowed to complete his mission—then Putin wins. The West crumbles. And the people who could have stopped it will look back, years from now, and wonder how they let it happen. \nGood night, and good luck. Because if people don’t wake up, America is going to sleepwalk straight into its own funeral.

I'm british and was giving trump the benefit of the doubt but then he picked on Canada(we have the same head of state) and today his vice president started bitching about the british military, seems he forgot about the over 630 troops that came back in body bags after Britain stood right next to the usa after the new york attack. I'm feeling a bit low even though he's not targeting us. Allies should stick together

Americans seem to be blind TRUMP is obviously a Putin agent you’re denied it long enough, do something before it s to late and a dear Leader has taken over ,,,,

The reason for this is Trump wants industry back in the US, and as long as people buy things from outside of the US cheaper, that's not going to happen. Thus the tariffs. That's what they're for, protectionism. Why he pretends it won't be bad for americans or that they won't be paying more for products, I don't know. Perhaps his way of preparing people for bad times. Or the wishful thinking bit he swears to. Whatever. But what sane person would build up an industry predicated on Trump being consistent and willing to stay the course? An industry that would fall apart like it's 1920 the moment tariffs end? I predict noone.\n\nI have some experience with Clark, he was an insightful man during his command in Europe. It should be concerning when he can't see a reason for these actions, for cozying up to Putin and alienating allies. There's no end goal here that is in the US' interest. Trump's cabinet is not interested in this sort of thing, they are domestic dilettantes. There is no 4D chess. So what is the deal? Is it just his anger at Zelensky for not investigating Hunter Biden during the election? It seems... a bit too much for that, despite Trump being known as extremely spiteful.

Justin makes raising the prices on everything seem cruel when Trump does it. But it is fair when Liberals do it. That is a 65 IQ at work folks.

Trump is on some sort of Antichrist Rant , it seems as if he wants to reduce the population through death and destruction. Plan and Simple.and the ones around him seems to have sold themselves to the Devil. We are in Serious Trouble Here , the Leaders in Congress and the Supreme Court Needs to Wake Up before they Lose there Power and it’s too Late.

I was a trump supporter from the uk and thought he would be a good thing because of all the corruption and not caring about its people that was going on from biden . just like whats happening in the uk not giving a dam about its people from labour But i think trump has done some idiot things backing Russia like there hes best mate doing this to Canada. It seems all trump cares about is money money money and and stabbing hes allies in the back.

“The one thing he [Trump] has said repeatedly is that what he wants, is to see a TOTAL COLLAPSE of the Canadian economy. Because, that will make it easier to annex us; is the second half of his thought… \n \n“We will never be the 51st State. But, yeah, he [Trump] can do damage to the Canadian economy… Let us not fool ourselves about what he seems to be wanting.” \n \n“This is a policy decision by the American government, designed to go after the Canadian economy… We’re booing a policy that is designed to HURT US!” We’re insulted, and we’re angry… We’re going to fight.” \n \n\t\t \t\t\t– Justin Trudeau (4 March, 2025)

Reading these comments I’m wondering how the hell Trump got into power. He doesn’t seem to have much support

The US seems hell bent on destroying itself. So many people are going to lose their jobs as the US economy goes into freefall. If Trump imposes higher tariffs on Europe too, we'll respond in exactly the same way as Canada.

I am not from either country, but looking from the outside in , it seems that everything Mr Trump does, is an effort to end brotherhood among nations and just be a butthole

Twice in a week Trump is humiliated by a world leader, Trump thinking he can be a president of a country like the ceo of a corporation. He blackmails people offering them scraps from the table of his last meal as if they should be thankful. How on gods earth did America vote this clown as it's leader. Putin has spent 3 years trying to get into Kiev and in a few weeks has managed to get into the Oval office of the Whitehouse. I sit here in the UK watching what is going on in America like many around the world cringing and at the same time laughing at how such a scumbag could achieve what he has done. Trump and his arse licking lapdog are making a laughing stock of the US and you seem helpless to stop the shitshow that is coming your way. I feel for you and hope his stupidity will lead to a very quick exit for the now most famous clown in the world.

Seems like a whole lot of begging from the 51 st state and Mexico…. I think President Trump has them right where he wants them. On their knees.

Here's the view from over in Scotland. It seems that people who cast their vote for Trump are going to have to learn the hard way. Canada is not going to be Trump's Ukraine.

I voted blue and moved from a red state over to a blue state because I don't agree with conservative republican views. I especially didn't want Trump back in office because I thought he was horrible the first time. My heart sunk after the election because I saw this coming. I'm hoping for some sort of impeachment because dealing with Trump for 4 more years seems unfathomable.

donald duck seems even smarter than donald trump.....

Wow! Sweden here. I stand by Canada. This is how a true leader speaks. What Trump is doing is irrational and he still don’t seem to understand how tariffs works. He’s hurting his own people with yet another effort to break down all alliances around the world. He threatens Europe, Palestine, Greenland, Mexico and many more. He cuts funding for Ukraine and aline with Russia. He managed in a month to crash so many lives in his own country and do not keep promises from his campaigns. How can one man destroy so much….

Seems really disastrous that Trump would start a trade war with the Canadians.

I don't know if this makes any difference or not because with trump and the fools in the republican party running things it seems like we have no say on anything. I think it's absolutely despicable how he has cheated his way into the White House again. \nWe stand with you Canada. If the Democrats can kick him out of the White House we will.\nThere are a lot of people who do not want anything to do with what he's doing. Don't hang us all because of his evil ways.\nAs I said we stand with Canada, and Mexico. God be with us all! Amen

Trump seem set on pissing of everyone, well except Putin maybe :|

Could Canada Win a Trade War?\n Trump has waged Economic War on Canada in order to bring us to our knees so that we will eventually capitulate to become the 51st state.\n\n Had he come in a nice way, as a friend verses a foe, he would have had a lot more interest, especially from Alberta. \n\n Now that we are here, the question has to be asked, can we actually win a trade war that has probably been extensively war-gamed by the U.S.?\n\n Our politicians want us to go toe to toe with a 900 lb gorilla. The U.S. economy is at least 10 times our size and are less dependent on our trade than we are. We may give them a black eye but they could rip our arms and legs off. \n\n Retaliatory tariffs play into their hands. It’s the perfect excuse to increase the tax to 50 or 100%. So will we do the same? This would devastate us, achieving their goals.\n\n Canadians are already fighting back without the government making things worse. People are boycotting U.S. goods en masse and cancelling travel plans, etc. and this is already having a strong effect.\n\n Some say turn off the electricity and oil, but who will pay price? It will be the businesses and employees, not the politicians who are now trying to act tough. If we want this to turn into a real kinetic war, then turning off the taps may do it. \n\n We have seen countless times where politicians tell us what we want to hear, making us think they are heading is a certain direction, only to find they do the exact opposite. This proves you can not believe what career politicians say and have to go by what they do, or don’t do, instead. Yet now, they confidently declare that Canada will never become the 51st state. This should raise eyebrows. \n\n Almost all of the MPs and Premiers are unanimous in entering into a trade war we can not win. After tariffs go ballistic, our dollar drops to .35 cents, and we get utterly crushed, I can see them say, “in order to save what’s left of our economy and society we must reluctantly join the U.S. or face certain destruction”. \n\n Not only would the decades old goal of a North American Union be accomplished, but we would take a large step towards the video statement that the World Economic Forum - WEF posted on their website. “By 2030, you will own nothing and be happy”. \n\n The WEF is working with the UN to achieve their Agenda 2030 goals and is what Pierre Poilievre and the “Conservatives” signed Canada onto Sept. 27, 2015. This is what Trudeau has been implementing. Mark Carnie, Pierre, and Jagmeet Singh would finish off the job. Read the redistribution of wealth goal #10. Are you feeling poorer yet? Remember, one has to dig deeper to see through the document’s ultimate double speak written for public consumption. \n\n There is much more going on than meets the eye. Our best defence is to not play into their hands. A much better plan needs to be developed by minds who see the big picture for creative solutions, and it does not seem to be those in office now