Close Reading

Thank you for all that you do to be good allies. There are a lot of Americans that DO NOT want this Tariff war with your friends to the north or the south. We did not vote for the orange pumpkin and his unreasonable shenanigans. Love you Canada.

As an American, I hear the Canadian President. I am sorry about this. Canada is American Neighbor and friend. I dont agree with Trump with this tariffs.

Being an American, I am EMBARRASED by what Trump has done. This is NOT how you treat a friend like Canada, and a partner in this world. Trump is an a$$hole and he must be stopped! \nI will consider you a friend and ally forever and what is being done makes absolutely NO sense! Orange Felon is not making sense! He's delusional and stupid. Go Canada!! Don't take this crap from Orange Felon! We'll take care of that POS POTUS and make him pay dearly for what he has done!

Americans voted for it and you GOT IT! THIS is unbelievable! The America with no friends! :( Canada's leader is smart, strong, brave, handsome and they are super lucky to have someone like him. This is NOT going to end well. :(

....TRUMP IS PUTTING MILLIONS OF AMERICANS OUT OF WORK. AND PRICES WILL GO UP.\nPUTIN AND RUSSIA WILL BE VERY HAPPY WITH THIS.\nRUSSIA AIMS NUKES AT AMERICA WHILE TRUMP TREATS HIS FRIENDS LIKE CANADA AS THE ENEMY.\nWAKE UP PEOPLE....

I am an American and love my country and its people. But TRUMP and Musk and Vance are villains ?! They must be defeated. And they will be stopped. We need to stick close to our neighbors and our friends in the world. Putin is not a friend. I hope our Canadian brothers know we real Americans want cooperation and friendship, not a trade war.

Dear American friends, get rid of Trump before it's too late.

Trudumb, a friend dose not take and never return generosity. The current administration is just demonstrating how much of the American tax dollars go to Canada. About $300B, sounds like you all get more than any US state. \n\nFYI: Canada has the best fence in the world…it’s called the United States of America!!!

That is because he is aligning himself to be a dictator “like Putin lIke Elon Musk and his friends from South Africa American citizens you are not rich enough!

American here. So sorry for the way Canada has been treated by our so called President and his administration who are trying to destroy our country and our reputation across the globe. We do not agree with what he is doing, understand that we don’t agree. Hopefully we can get our relations across the world back to the way it was. SOON MY FRIENDS SOON

I AM ?? CANADIAN. How mad are we? Furious and overtly patriotic. I will do everything within my limited economic (non-billionaire), physical and social power to protect Canada against american aggression. You have threatened our democratically elected government, natural resources, economy and personal freedom. By electing “that person” as your leader and aligning with authoritarian dictatorships like Russia, you have threatened not only Canada and Ukraine but world peace. You have threatened your own economic and personal freedom. Prime Minister Trudeau spoke succinctly in a comprehensible way to let you, the american people, know the seriousness of your choice. If you understand what you have done and realize the implications, then peacefully protest (if that is still allowed with your evolving fascist/populist/authoritarian government). Contact your local, state/territorial and federal government officials. You can let your governors, senators and representatives know that you do not agree with the government’s actions and the subsequent hardship it will impose not only on the world but on you, your family and neighbours. Make change happen in a peaceful, non violent manner, while you still can. We didn’t ask for nor want this absurdly unnecessary confrontation but when attacked, we will fight our old friends and historic allies. Elbows up Canada!

I’m not a fan of Trudeau but he speaks in a calm rational manner. He is polite but firm. I’m an American and although I agree with some of Trumps ideas, being rude and not thinking things through before acting, is inexcusable. We have enemies all over the world and now we have even turned our friends against us. The drug problem is an American problem, not Canada or Mexico. We can’t keep guns from entering Mexico, arming the cartels, how can we expect the Mexican government to keep drugs out of America?

Aussie here. We are so sickened watching what’s going on in the US. It’s terrifying how fast Trump has turned against his allies. Canada, we Aussies love you and support you! Thank you for standing strong. To our American friends, keep fighting, keep protesting!

I'm American...I love Canada! I have many friends there ! Thank you for standing up for Canada and actually for standing up for innocent Americans like me who never voted for this monster we have now as a president! I'm 50 and I've never ever seen anyone like the administration we have now ! My parents and my grandparents would be ashamed of Donald Trump especially my grandfather who was a world War 2 vet who received a purple heart award ! Shame on you Donald

You are so justified. Most Americans are embarrassed and furious with the behavior of our newly elected president. Canada, you are my friend.

Despite the actions of the American government, this Torontonian loves and respects his American brothers and sisters. I don't hold this against them, I prefer and wish for a world where we are allies and friends over one where we fight with each other.

Prime Minister Trudeau, I am sorry President Trump's irresponsible ideas and choices affect so many negatively which includes you and your Canadians, and me and my Americans, as well as so many other. He should be ashamed of himself, but we all know that a narcissist feels only joy in hurting others. I worry every day, not just for the people of the United States of America, but also for all people around the world affected by this horrible man. I stand up and speak up with the hope that it makes a difference. Those I know are doing the same. I have heard so many republicans that voted for Trump, so very sorry now that they did. His irrational behavior is worthy of impeachment. Your speech, Prime Minister Trudeau, was honest and sincere and I appreciate your being so candid. I wish President Trump and Vice President Vance had the character you have. Best Wishes to you and the People of Canada, we have been friends for a long time and I would love to continue this friendship. Remember there are Americans here that appreciate you and your country.

European here. Nice to see that Canada is still a great smart country we are all happy to be friends with; what really worries us is the country below Canada, since it is run by a crazy old man and his cult of bigotry, ignorance, lies, autocracy and pseudoscience. What have you done? You liberated us from the Nazis in WWII just to vote for their American counterpart less than one century later. I am very sorry for all the good guys who lost their lives only to bring Mr Trump to the White House.

As an American in California who had a family cottage in beautiful Ontario for 12 years and was welcomed by so many Canadian friends I am appalled by the American president who is a traitor. I support Canada 100% and will do everything possible to support you in this economic war with this corrupt administration.

Unfortunately Trump befriends bullies and alienates friends and neighbors. In 2026 we will have midterm elections. That will be the time to make a necessary change and I trust Americans will vote.

I am an American, please stand together. Our country is not and I am sure it shows. We here in the states need to gain control of our Rogue Government and it will not be easy. Many of our citizens have been removed from the voting roles and many politicians have been bribed or threaten into submission. We have a hard road ahead to gain back our country ... please remember, most Americans understand and would not choose to harm any of our friends and neighbors.

Making Americans paying into the Fed coffers so they have more money to enrich their friends. Make American Oligarchs great again.

I have always been a proud American citizen. My paternal side of my family has been traced back to the Mayflower and I have ancestors and family that have served in the Revolutionary War, the American Civil War, WWl, WWll, Vietnam, the Gulf, and Afghanistan. This country has made many mistakes and has had much shame throughout its existence for various things but this is the first time and U.S. president has turned his back on our friends and allies in favor of an evil authoritarian leader named Vladimir Putin who strokes his massive ego and gives him elusions of power and respect from Putin when in reality Putin is playing Trump like a fiddle. The New York Times was not right. Donald Trump is not a bright guy. I stand strongly with my friends in Canada ??.

One more American supporting our friend CANADA. Hate Trump, not ordinary Americans he does not represent. ????

Thank you, PM Trudeau for differentiating between American citizens, who value our Canadian friends, and the insane wannabe dictator who is trying to destroy our nation.

You’re doing the right thing, Mr. Prime Minister. As an American Veteran, it breaks my heart that we are treating our closest friends and allies with such contempt. The current U.S. administration is a shameful embarrassment to Americans. I love Canada almost as much as I love my own country. Stay strong and keep standing up to the senile bully in the White House - for ALL of us. ??❤️??

I can see a few Americans here happy that Canada will be a 51 state. This is not a way to approach a friend to take over his house. There were other ways to do it long before and I assure you there were, maybe, doable but force is not one of them. You seed hate you get hate. What a mess.

Could Canada Win a Trade War?\n Trump has waged Economic War on Canada in order to bring us to our knees so that we will eventually capitulate to become the 51st state.\n\n Had he come in a nice way, as a friend verses a foe, he would have had a lot more interest, especially from Alberta. \n\n Now that we are here, the question has to be asked, can we actually win a trade war that has probably been extensively war-gamed by the U.S.?\n\n Our politicians want us to go toe to toe with a 900 lb gorilla. The U.S. economy is at least 10 times our size and are less dependent on our trade than we are. We may give them a black eye but they could rip our arms and legs off. \n\n Retaliatory tariffs play into their hands. It’s the perfect excuse to increase the tax to 50 or 100%. So will we do the same? This would devastate us, achieving their goals.\n\n Canadians are already fighting back without the government making things worse. People are boycotting U.S. goods en masse and cancelling travel plans, etc. and this is already having a strong effect.\n\n Some say turn off the electricity and oil, but who will pay price? It will be the businesses and employees, not the politicians who are now trying to act tough. If we want this to turn into a real kinetic war, then turning off the taps may do it. \n\n We have seen countless times where politicians tell us what we want to hear, making us think they are heading is a certain direction, only to find they do the exact opposite. This proves you can not believe what career politicians say and have to go by what they do, or don’t do, instead. Yet now, they confidently declare that Canada will never become the 51st state. This should raise eyebrows. \n\n Almost all of the MPs and Premiers are unanimous in entering into a trade war we can not win. After tariffs go ballistic, our dollar drops to .35 cents, and we get utterly crushed, I can see them say, “in order to save what’s left of our economy and society we must reluctantly join the U.S. or face certain destruction”. \n\n Not only would the decades old goal of a North American Union be accomplished, but we would take a large step towards the video statement that the World Economic Forum - WEF posted on their website. “By 2030, you will own nothing and be happy”. \n\n The WEF is working with the UN to achieve their Agenda 2030 goals and is what Pierre Poilievre and the “Conservatives” signed Canada onto Sept. 27, 2015. This is what Trudeau has been implementing. Mark Carnie, Pierre, and Jagmeet Singh would finish off the job. Read the redistribution of wealth goal #10. Are you feeling poorer yet? Remember, one has to dig deeper to see through the document’s ultimate double speak written for public consumption. \n\n There is much more going on than meets the eye. Our best defence is to not play into their hands. A much better plan needs to be developed by minds who see the big picture for creative solutions, and it does not seem to be those in office now

Thank you, PM Trudeau!!! From a REAL American, I consider you a bigger ally and friend than America's sad excuse of a 'president' aka America's Hitler. FUCK TRUMP/MUSK/VANCE/MAGA.

Wow, dude can I move to Canada now?! I want off this hellscape Rollercoaster in the US, where somehow we now have a president that's only out for himself and to enrich himself and his super rich friends lives on the backs and bones of every other American.

I would not want to live down there with the pervasive American attitude. I thought my American friends were lovely people, but then we went to a restaurant together. I was flabberghasted by how they ALL spoke down to the waitress, as if she was beneath them. You can pick out the American tourists here, by how they talk to service people. I wish I could say this was a stereotype, but i live in a tourist town and see it every day.

As a Texan, a veteran, Son of the American Revolution, I support our friends, neighbors, and allies in Canada. I detest the horrible behavior our government has unleashed not just on Canada, but the entire world.

I’m just so sad and that the current american administration is trying so hard to make us hate each other! \n\nWhen things get bad, in a couple of weeks or months for both of us. Trump and his media Will absolutely blame Canada, not just for trying to defend itself, but for all of it. He Will try to make americans hate us so much so he can get something out of it and thats so wrong.\n\nI have so many memories of traveling to the US and meeting great people there. I don’t want it to end and I want to remember that most americans are our friends, good people who don’t wish harm to others.\n\nI really Hope reason and good people Will prevail, I Hope je won’t bête allowed to continue down this path for long, I Hope the congress or anyone will stand up for whats right. Courage!

As American citizen I feel sorry for our Canadian and Mexican friends . We are always a friend .

I'm American and have Canadian friends and we as a country never had problems with Canada. Why create a issue when there was none to begin with. Insipid

to all americans: why don't u all go out and protest against trump and this lunacy more? show him and his friends you disagree?

Please know that most Americans don't want this made up fight with our wonderful up north friends and neighbors.

Mr. Trudeau, I wish you could be the American president. You have more of what we need than trump ever thought about. To my Canadian friends, my apologies. My country has entered an embarrassing period of time. We will resolve this, but it will take time. In the meantime, please know that the problem is our president, not our people.

I used to be a huge fan of America. I truly believed it was the world’s policeman, the guiding force for justice and freedom. I looked up to the country, admiring its strength, its values, and the way it stood for what was right. I even wished my own country could be more like that. \n\nBut America is no longer what it once was. It’s heartbreaking to see how a once-free and hopeful nation has transformed into something so divided, hostile, and unpredictable. A country that once stood by its friends now turns its back on them. A nation that once fought for unity now thrives on division and conflict. \n\nThere are still many good people in America, and the country is not beyond hope. But deep down, every American must realize—this is not the right path. This is not who you are meant to be. \n\nWake up before it’s too late.

The speech of Mr Trudeau, the way Canadians have shown solidarity for one another, today it all puts my country, The US, to shame. I am ashamed of what my government is doing and I am disgusted with the people doing it. In Mr Trump’s first term, as eclipsed as they were by the many many many actions and attitudes he imposed on us that embarrassed and hurt us as a country, there was the rare occasional decision I could at least understand even if I did not support it. Since taking office literally not one thing he has done has made sense to me as an American. I can only say how sorry I am for what the country I love is being used to do to you all, especially our closest allies and friends and in particular the people of Canada today. I grew up in Commerce Twp Michigan. I visited Canada regularly and, even as crime from Detroit poured across the border into Canada, Canadians always treated us with respect and welcome. I never imagined that would stop but now I find it hard to imagine how it might continue and it breaks my heart.

As an American right now i feel more strongly patriotic for my Canadian brothers than my own government. We should be the best of friends and allies this is such a stupid fucking step for trump to take. He's destroying our alliances. I only hope our relationship isn't irreparably damaged before his four years are up. As a western new yorker who has lived by the falls all my life, im really saddened to see this. Sorry.

I found quite weird the comment of Paula Newton. If you answer to an act of market aggression, you are anti American. So to be a friend to Americans you need to thank and kneel when the boss shows up. Quite a strange, weird concept of friendship.

Americans obviously didn’t understand what tariffs are, didn’t get that it’s an import tax which they must pay on goods and products they buy from Canada, a tax which tRump collects from Americans and uses to pay for tax-cuts for the richest citizens. But one more thing Americans don’t get is that before this fateful day an unofficial boycott against ALL US goods has been growing since tRump insulted Canada’s Prime Minister and threatened Canada’s sovereignty—whereas Canada’s official countervails ( which only kicked-in today )only target certain US goods, not ALL of them like ordinary Canadians are doing in growing numbers right now—in fact, the imposition of tRump’s tariffs today has only made the unofficial boycott bigger and more organized. It’s heartening that so many nations have solicited Canada, offering alternative sources for common US exports to Canada —citrus fruits, pharmaceuticals, and other manufactures, to name a few.\n\nI don’t think Canadians even realize how big this unofficial boycott is getting because it’s growing so fast. I’ve never seen a surge in Canadian patriotism like this. Never in my seven decades —which includes the two Referenda on Quebec separation. And there’s a federal election approaching when all partisans will be one-upping each other in the patriotism department—which manifests in more boycotts of US goods and hospitality services.\n\n Americans should know that the unofficial boycott is more harmful to US exporters than the official targeted countervails because it features immediate and longterm diminishment of Canadian purchases of US goods—all retailers know it’s very hard to recover lost customers once they’ve found alternatives (and the added patriotic effect only makes it worse). Included is diminishment of Canadian visits to the USA. Indeed, the internet is replete with testimonies of Canadian”snow birds” not only forgoing their annual sojourn in the Florida or Arizona sunshine but also of selling their properties there with the parting shot, “I will never vacation in the US again!” Already Mexico has seen its visits from Canadians (who have had a modest presence in Mexico for years) surge to unprecedented levels. I know from much-welcomed temp Mexican construction workers in BC (where I live) that they view Canadians completely differently from our mutual US neighbours—and now that affection is growing like never before. \n\nI’m continually amazed at how uninformed Americans are about tariffs—and misinformed by tRump and his goofy, preposterous, and ridiculous fantasy of world-domination. When tRump uses the lame excuse to implement emergency powers —that Canada is “allowing” (as Vance puts it) fentanyl to “pour into the USA”—it’s tantamount to saying Ukraine started the war with Russia. The man is a tendentious liar and narcissistic megalomaniac. \n\nI have faith that the great nation of the USA will reject tRump’s crazy policies—we all just have to hang on and let the needless suffering for both our nations (and the world with regard strategic alliances) play out until he either relents, is swamped in legal repercussions, is impeached, or otherwise removed from office!\n\nGood luck my American and Ukrainian friends!

That is a great president thinking about his people not his self and rich friends you are an embarrassment to the American people

Trump will not be your dictator forever. We want to be friends with Americans not enemies.

American here who has spent 57 years visiting and loving Canada. HELP US get rid of the monsters in the White House. Thank you Canadian friends.

Dear Canadians we are so sorry what this despicable president is doing! Millions of Americans are your friends. We are embarrassed and so sad what trump is doing. ?

I am an American and I kindly as all world leader to stay on Trump's neck!!! Dont let up! Keep your foot on that man's neck till we can get him out of office. We citizens who didnt vote for this will pay the price. Its a burden that will hit us all... but its our burden to carry now. Dont let up. We dont want this either. We love our allies. And the best thing you can do for us, is fight back. We remain neighbors, friends and allies. Do what you must Canada. We understand and we are sorry.\n\nI, an American, stand with the Ukraine and Canada ?? ??

I’m an American and I did Not vote for Trump. I knew he would destroy our country if he was elected. Many people are angry in America that Trump has launched this trade war with our Canadian friends. We love our neighbors. Many Americans do not want this. We are not happy with how things are changing for the worst in our country and in other countries. We are being ruled by an insane, thug/criminal and bully and his rich, puppet buddies. Diplomacy is not in their vocabularies. This is so sad. Stay strong Canada??

As a Canadian, I can assure America that, even if or when these tariffs are removed, we will never forgive or forget the base treatment we have received from our former closest friend. The free world is not blind. They can see what America has done to its closest ally. Splendid Isolation will once again be enjoyed by Americans but this time it will be initiated by the free world.