Dear Canada, Nous Somme Désolés

Yesterday I put up a meme on my FB page that said, “Dear Canada- Once again we are very sorry. We hate him too. Signed, Disgusted Americans.”

There was a lot of reaction to the meme. Most Americans agreed. (The ones who didn’t seemed to be bots, trolls, and of course MAGAs who spewed their usual nonsense.) Not surprisingly, many Canadians weighed in as well. But I will get back to that in a bit.

In case you missed the latest kerfuffle, Trump not only wanted to impose new tariffs on Canada, but he also demanded “that Canada comply with U.S. diktats on tariffs on its trade with other countries” according to The NY Times.

The new 50% duties which Trump imposed on Canada will hit everything from hockey sticks to some building materials, wigs, fishing rods, liquors, and certain kinds of clothing. And for all the dog owners out there, leashes, collars, harnesses, and muzzles will also be hit by the tariffs.

Trump- twice!- said that a deal with Canada had been reached. Which sounds a lot like the 97 times he said that we had won the Iran war or that the Strait of Hormuz is open and that we control it.

Rather than accepting Trump’s terms, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney suspended trade talks calling them “a bad deal” and ordered his negotiating team to return to Ottawa. He also said that “We’ve recognized from the start that America has changed. We recognize that sometimes, its signature is written in pencil.”

I would take a Biden autopen signature over Trump’s (disappearing ink) signature every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

In response, Carney said that his country will initiate retaliatory tariffs against U.S. imports starting September 8. The tariffs will focus on American sectors such as “steel, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, and electronics.” There will be no winners in this tariff war, just a further escalation of the rift between two formerly close friends and allies.

Back to the comments on my FB meme. In typical fashion, most Canadians were very understanding saying things like- “No need to apologize we don’t blame anyone who didn’t vote for him or those who have come to their senses. The total blame falls on Trump and his enabling administration. I’m glad Carney walked away. No deal is better than a bad deal. I would have loved to have seen the look on the Orange one’s face.” And, “Thank you so much we appreciate your kindness!!”

Another Canadian wrote-

“I encourage all Americans to watch Prime Minister Carney’s press conference that he held [Saturday] morning… It says a lot without saying everything. It’s facts, not bluster. He doesn’t belittle Americans, call names or disrespect anyone. He takes questions like an adult, a leader. I’m hopeful that someday, once this government in the US is long forgotten, that our two countries can cooperate again. I don’t believe we will ever go back to the way it was, but as PM Carney said, partners, not competitors. Take care our southern neighbors.”

Other Canadians were less sanguine. And I can’t say that I blame them. Here are a few of those comments-

“I can’t begin to tell you how angry many Canadians are. I honestly don’t think we will ever trust America again…”

“I love my American friends but sadly, I doubt I will visit their country again.” (My Canadian relatives have expressed the same sentiment.)

“Don’t feel sorry for Canadians, feel sorry for yourselves.” (I definitely do.)

And then, a common theme-

“Do something and vote blue! We don’t want this war but we sure AF don’t want to be a state!”

“Yes you’re to blame because you don’t do anything about it. Guilt by association.” (To which I replied, “I assure you that many of us are doing everything in our power to get rid of him.”)

“If you are truly sorry… Get out and VOTE in November!... Even if you don’t like the Republicans or Democrats… you have to vote Democratic for now. Gotta get control in the House and Senate away from the spineless Republicans to try and get a handle on the insanity and restore the Constitution.”

Yup, 1000 %.

I used to read a “Little Critter” book to my kids about saying “sorry.” After Little Critter repeatedly messes up and apologizes, the mom finally says, “Sometimes saying ‘I’m sorry’ isn’t good enough.” She is right.

So yes, dear neighbors to the north, I am sorry. But I also promise I will continue to do everything in my power to get my fellow Americans to vote the GOP OUT.

71 days until midterms.