Canada Must Break Free from Trump’s Abusive Trade Tactics

The recent threat of a 25% U.S. tariff on Canadian goods feels less like a trade negotiation and more like an act of economic warfare against a close ally. For Canadians, this is not just about tariffs—it’s about the toxic dynamic of power and control that has come to define the Trump administration’s approach to its northern neighbour. Drawing a parallel to an abusive relationship, Trump’s tactics thrive on prolonged uncertainty, keeping Canada on edge, perpetually guessing what the next demand or threat will be.

As just reported by CBC, the Trump administration is once again waffling about when exactly the threatened tariffs will be imposed, last threatened to arrive next week.

This uncertainty is a hallmark of abusive behaviour.

In abusive relationships, the abuser sustains power not through clear, consistent actions, but through unpredictability. The victim—in this case, Canada—is left scrambling to appease, hoping to avoid the next blow. But as anyone who has experienced such a relationship knows, appeasement never works.

The demands are not the point; control is.

Take, for example, Canada’s efforts to tighten border security on fentanyl in response to the American bully’s first threat of tariffs. Fix the border, he blustered, or there will be tariffs. So, Canada even went so far as to appoint an absurdly title “border czar,” kowtowing to this tyrant. While this may seem like a reasonable concession, it misses the bigger picture. The demand itself is almost irrelevant. When Canada complies, Trump moves the goalposts, issuing new threats or demands to maintain his grip on the narrative.

This is how abusers operate: they control the narrative and they create a cycle of fear and compliance, ensuring the victim remains trapped in their orbit.

Canada’s politicians, however well-intentioned, are falling into this trap by responding to Trump’s irrational demands. By engaging in this dynamic, they inadvertently reinforce his power. Instead of playing the victim, Canada needs to step outside the parameters set by the American administration. This means rethinking our economic reliance on the U.S. and diversifying our trade relationships. Strengthening ties with Mexico, South America, and Europe is not just a strategic move—it’s a necessary step toward reclaiming our autonomy.

Trump’s erratic behaviour will not change. He is building his fortress, and American politicians are eagerly handing him the necessary building material. That’s their’s to figure out.

What we can influence is how Canada responds.

We must stop catering to his whims. We must stop speaking in his terms. We must start building a future where we are not beholden to the whims of an unpredictable leader. By refusing to play the victim, Canada can break free from this toxic cycle and chart a new course—one defined by resilience, independence, and stronger global partnerships.

The time has come to ignore Trump’s insane demands and focus on what truly matters: securing Canada’s economic future on our own terms.