TORONTO – Do you wonder what happened in that much ballyhooed lunch/dinner at Mar-a-Lago on November 30, 2024, when the “comrades-in-arms”, Trudeau and Trump, imbibed and dined to their hearts content, and swore their “friendship and brotherhood” before one and all?
Shortly thereafter, Trump’s attacks on Canada (directly and by proxy) became increasingly pejorative; the slander and defamation directed towards Canadian sovereignty, the character and utility of our leadership, the functionality of our institutions as they relate to public security, military preparedness, fiscal and juridical probity flowed like the waterfalls at Niagara. It has gotten worse by the day, no, by the hour.
In mid-December, Trudeau found himself in an environment he could no longer control. A Cabinet shuffle only made matters worse. Trumpian promises of tariffs amounting to 25% on everything going South threatened the very stability of our economy. The ensuing internal debate exposed the fragility of our Confederation.
By early January, as if to prove the point, Trudeau “threw in the towel”, sought prorogation (the political equivalent of bankruptcy protection) and resigned as Leader of his party – and as Prime Minister – effective the election of a replacement due March 9. The “leadership process” has attracted disdain and scorn from political observers of all political stripes.
The Federal Court has set aside February 12-13 for deliberation of the legitimacy of the prorogation.
Meanwhile, Team Trump continues unabated attacks on Canada as a primary source of illegal immigration (people smuggling), of life-killing drug distribution and money laundering, and “freeloading” off American Military Security programs. Pleading with Opposition Parties and Provincial Premiers for “unity” (help), Trudeau gave the appearance of having abandoned ship.
One senses that Trump behaves as a “marketplace predator out to cull the herd”. His reaction to the Canadian “protestations” of strength was the typical business model that starts out with let me “buy you out” (minimize your losses; if we don’t buy, to whom will you sell?), or why don’t we [redefine] partner up (become a 51st State)?
Now that the “promise, threat of the 25% tariff/tax on Canadians is fixed and listed (as of Saturday, Feb. 1), Trudeau’s bravado response in kind seems only to exacerbate the damage to the consuming/taxpaying public. Too little, too late.
Trump’s response, to paraphrase, if you think 25% is bad, wait until you try to fight back. He seems to have grasped the concept that, from a constitutional perspective, Canada is bereft of any jurisdictional authority until the federal government renews itself, either via the decision of the Federal Court following the hearing of Feb 12—15 or the election which will, in any event take place shortly after the House emerges from “bankruptcy protection” on March 24.
Maybe, all that wine and food masked the offense Trump must have felt.
Here below, the dinner at Mar-a-Lago (photo from Justin Trudeau’s X Twitter page)
