wisdom

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/02/trump-tariffs-mexico-canada-china-retaliation

Possible as I am wrong on many things and can’t know everything. But I am never as sure as others because I recognize how little I understand and know. to be seen.

You are right but I would add the power to tax the best and largest economy- thus all Americans and American businesses support it along with the worlds most powerful military. If these conditions were not met I would be total agreement with you. this was in reference to the comparison with USD.

I would add it is virtually like religion. That is why hodlers spend so much time convincing and arguing for it as they need more believers and of course it helps them believe even more, the more they repeat their reasons. it is always the same - nothing new. They are in reality trying to convince themselves.

I am not talking about a day or 2. I am talking about this playing out to the end when we get some decent amount of capital destruction. To be seen.

Yes - I would be wrong as I do not believe it has any value to society. I don’t know anyone whose life is better because of bitcoin other than those who own it and want others to buy it. It needs greater fools to continue.

The amount of liquidity injected after Covid is still in the system. We haven’t withdrawn it all but the tariffs could help end it soon. If all the crypto’s and S&P 500 along with talk of US exceptionalism is still on when this happens then I will be wrong. To be seen.

Because we were still in QE and free money stage from 2008. Trump may help it end if he takes this far enough. To be seen. Buffett building $300 B plus in cash is a sign things are about to change and have reached an extreme.

Bitcoin has no value. When the market loses confidence it ends. Ponzi’s only last while liquidity is high and speculators are confident.

Cubs Would recommend learning a bit more. Growing never hurt anyone. A bit of humility never hurt anyone. you are welcome too

Watching this thread over time - even Trumps most ardent supporters can’t justify what he is doing in their name to their allies who stand by US unconditionally- screwing us over in order to do a Putin on us. So they keep changing the reasons or the discussion to rationalize what he is doing in their name to us. Fascinating to observe even the most intelligent people committing mental gymnastics to justify stupidity. If Putin had done the same to a neighbouring country/ally they would have been pontificating on why Russia needs to be stopped. Tribalism trumps rationality - unfortunately

We need to prepare to export to Europe and Asia. If we can’t trust the US then there is no other option. Pipelines, ports to export food and commodities, LNG exports etc. if Americans sanction more and more of the world then all the sanctioned countries work together. And in the process move away from USD based trade. US will not want to give it up so they will try to punish us even more. Your investments in US would also be at risk. The same as how Russia is treating Ukraine.

Most planes that came back successfully in the Second World War did not have damaged cockpits and engines. There were people who concluded that they needed to put armour on the wings and fuselage. Have you considered that a lot more cross over on the southern border but don’t get caught? Unbelievable!

Agreed - unfortunately you need a crisis to force change and doing the right thing. So in some ways Trump may be our saviour by making a mess first. He could be so successful that China could look good.

A lot of the rhetoric reminds me of WMD and Iraq war where the naive believed the false evidence and believed the government line that the troops would be welcomed as saviours and everything will be changed forever in the Middle East. I hope for everyone’s sake things turn out as per the President’s claims though history is against it. Life is not as simple and the answers are even more complicated than those who are so sure can imagine. I especially worry when you have a leader who is narcissistic and so sure of what he knows.

So how did they work out the last time around? NAFTA agreement solved the problems? USMCA if he was that awesome at negotiating we should have no problems by now. I would recommend not starting by being a bully otherwise there are unintended consequences. Canada’s future is tied with the US and everything can be discussed and worked on. None of this behaviour is required.

Last time around, NAFTA was renegotiated. The bully is back. Shame on me if I fall for it once again. I quoted the president on his social media platform that he will make Canada as a nation unviable and offered the choice of becoming the US. i did not rely on any media - this is a quote from the President

Trudeau had no chance in the coming elections. Trump is actually resurrecting him. I don’t think Americans appreciate the reaction in Canada right now.

Because you have to stand up to the bully otherwise the bully will be back. the bully is saying he wants our country. Tobi is talking his book.

Agreed but the next 4 years will ruin the relationship that US and Canada have had. Something that makes North America different and special as there isnt hatred here amongst our neighbours. The rest of the world isn’t so lucky.

history teaches us a different lesson. Things to think about: - why did US end up with allies that were neighbours with the soviets and later the Chinese? - could it have anything to do with a powerful neighbour saying they want to annex you? Survival is a motivator. powerful countries refuse to learn from history as humans are not rational and give in to Hubris. If this does not end soon the outcomes will be what none of us can predict.

We have to invest in ending our reliance on the US. We can’t allow this to happen ever again. That is the lesson learned and Canada will be better prepared for the next time. That will allow us to play hardball in the future.

People are emotional irrational creatures. It is wrong to expect them to be rational - unfortunately

Sorry - I was trying to reply to the question why would a party do anything to hurt themselves in the future. I was trying to connect it to a person or country not in touch with reality. Obviously I did not do a good job in connecting the 2.

This is why any kind of war is dangerous. There is no rationality when one feels attacked and it takes turns that no one can anticipate. Good luck if one thinks it will play out rationally when a President of a more powerful nation keeps repeating he wants your country.