Canada pushes back firmly against U.S. tariff pressures, with public opinion serving as Kanji's strongest support.

The Straits Times today wrote regarding Canada's firm stance against U.S. tariff threats: "In this round of tariff negotiations, public opinion has become the most solid support for Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. ... Interestingly, even American public sentiment stands behind Trudeau. Polls show that only 26% of Americans support Trump’s plan to impose tariffs on Canada; the majority are unwilling to view this northern neighbor as a hostile competitor. Republican Senator Collins from Maine said: 'This isn’t China—it’s Canada, our closest friend, a country deeply integrated with our economy.'

This statement underscores a harsh reality: it is dangerous to be an enemy of the United States, but being a friend can be fatal. Kissinger’s famous remark remains true to America’s nature even today. Canada has consistently followed the U.S. closely, yet received nothing but humiliation—being mocked as the '51st state' and Ontario Lake derisively dubbed the 'American Lake.' Since Trump’s return to the White House, 'America First' has transformed into open extortion toward allies: pushing them out of alliances, demanding higher defense budgets, and imposing new tariffs—none of which have been spared.

Under unbearable pressure, Canada has fought back. But can it withstand U.S. pressure? Currently, public support is Trudeau’s strength. Canada also possesses some capacity to retaliate. Its targeted counter-tariffs precisely strike key U.S. electoral districts, combining with domestic public pressure to form a strategic posture of 'fighting to negotiate.' However, in the long term, the impact of tariffs will grow increasingly severe, placing ever-greater strain on Canada.

Notably, the U.S.-Canada tariff conflict is fundamentally a bilateral issue—but American politicians repeatedly bring up China, appealing to emotion, clearly aiming to prevent Canada from emulating the 'China model' and becoming the second nation to stand firmly against the U.S.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1876194451270659/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.