Canada–USA: The Fracturing of a Strong Alliance
By Justine Frangouli-Argyri
The relationship between the United States and Canada—once
a model of allied cooperation—is now overshadowed by the economic
aggressiveness of the American president and diplomatic miscommunication. At
the heart of this rupture lie the unilaterally increasing tariffs and the
failure of dialogue, which have turned two trusted partners into wary
adversaries.
President Donald Trump’s administration imposed sweeping
tariffs on Canadian imports, initially at 25% and later raising them to 35%.
These measures, presented as necessary for U.S. national security, targeted a
wide range of products, excluding only energy and goods covered by the USMCA
agreement. Canada responded with retaliatory tariffs, sparking a trade war that
disrupted supply chains and raised consumer prices in both countries.
The decision to impose tariffs of up to 35% on Canadian
goods is not just economically damaging—it is politically offensive. Canada is
neither a competitor nor a threat—it is an ally. Using tariffs as a pressure
tool against a close partner reveals a deeper crisis: the weakening of
bilateral cooperation and the rise of unilateral nationalism, the peak of trade
protectionism driven by U.S. economic dominance.
Canada’s retaliatory response was expected, but the real
damage isn’t in the numbers—it’s in the breakdown of trust. When trade
negotiations are interrupted by a social media post, and when diplomatic
gestures—like Prime Minister Carney’s friendly bet on the Baseball World
Cup—are blatantly ignored, we’re no longer talking about politics. We’re
talking about contempt.
The turning point came last week when Trump abruptly cut
off all trade negotiations with Canada. The trigger? A television ad by Ontario
Premier Doug Ford featuring Ronald Reagan warning against high tariffs and the
dangers of trade protectionism. Trump accused Canada of using the ad to
influence a Supreme Court case regarding his authority to impose tariffs.
Beyond the economic fallout, the diplomatic tone from the
American side has intensified. This collapse of trust and dialogue peaked with
Trump’s decision to end talks via social media rather than diplomatic
channels—a tactic that reflects a shift toward unilateral theatrics.
Canada, for its part, has begun to distance itself from
dependence on the U.S. Prime minister Carney announced plans to double exports
to non-American markets over the next decade, signaling a strategic pivot away
from American unpredictability.
The deterioration of U.S.–Canada relations has broader
consequences. The two countries share longstanding defense commitments,
cultural ties, and economic interdependence. But today’s climate shows how
fragile those bonds become when economic nationalism and political spectacle
replace mutual respect and strategic dialogue.
Analysts warn that the U.S. risks being seen as an
unreliable partner, while Canada may increasingly turn to Europe and Asia for
trade and diplomatic stability.
In short, the trade war and diplomatic silence between the
U.S. and Canada reflect a deeper crisis of trust. An alliance that once
operated effortlessly now risks complete rupture—proof that even the closest
allies can falter when communication fails and economic aggression prevails.
The question isn’t whether the U.S. and Canada will
continue to cooperate. The question is how. Today’s crisis isn’t just
commercial—it’s existential. If these historic allies can’t communicate,
disagree respectfully, and resolve differences through dialogue, then the very
concept of alliance loses its meaning.
Restoring trust requires political will, institutional
seriousness, and above all, recognition that cooperation is not weakness. It is
strength.
President Trump, who claims to think like a businessman,
must accept—without tantrums or theatrics—that with this behavior towards
Canada, he is essentially losing his most valuable ally on the American
continent.
