The relationship between Canada and the U.S. has been shaken by Trump’s trade war, insults, and annexationist ambitions. Our author spoke to people in Canada to find out how their view of their southern neighbor has changed since then.
By Gerd Braune, Ottawa
“We miss you,” says Maggie Hassan, Democratic U.S. Senator from New Hampshire. “We miss you all.” She’s addressing the Canadians who, these days, are doing everything they can to express their disapproval of the United States, from boycotting American products in supermarkets to avoiding cross-border trips for shopping or vacations. New Hampshire is one of the northeastern border states feeling the strain of the animosity between the once closely allied neighbors. Hassan says she knows that the current “instability in our relationship” has led many Canadians to cancel trips to popular tourist destinations in the U.S. “But we hope you’ll come back,” she adds.
There’s little talk of friendship and trust between the U.S. and Canada in the months since Donald Trump’s second inauguration. When Ontario’s conservative Premier Doug Ford ordered that American wine and whiskey be removed from the shelves of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO), the move was met with applause. That sentiment is shared by Sergii, who is browsing the Ontario wine selection at an LCBO store in Ottawa. “We support our local wineries, breweries, and distilleries,” he says. “The shelves are full”—even without U.S. products.
“Geography has made us neighbors, history has made us friends, economics has made us partners.” (John F. Kennedy)
“Geography made us neighbors, history made us friends, economics made us partners”, that’s how John F. Kennedy described U.S.-Canada relations in his 1961 speech to the Canadian Parliament. That is the past, the last millennium. Trump’s talk of Canada as the 51st U.S. state and his belittling of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who held office until March, by calling him a “governor,” has sparked anger and outrage in Canada. The Intelligencer newsletter of New York magazine notes: “Canadians are angry. Trump achieved what once seemed impossible: our northern neighbors have united against us.”
According to surveys by the polling institute Nanos Research, “pessimism and anger” are the prevailing feelings in Canada toward the U.S. In early July, 34 percent described their feelings toward Americans as “pessimistic,” 24 percent as “angry.” Seventeen percent were indifferent, and just over 21 percent expressed positive feelings such as optimism and satisfaction.
“Especially the talk about Canada as the 51st U.S. state offended Canadians,” says Nik Nanos, Chief Data Scientist at Nanos Research and chairman of the Atlantik-Brücke Canada. There have been disagreements before, such as during President George W. Bush’s administration, but not this level of anger. “No U.S. administration has said such provocative things about Canada,” says Nanos. Trust between the two countries might return someday, “but how long will that take?” Tensions were particularly high in the spring when “a very aggressive Trump” repeatedly attacked Canada with tariffs and threats, and it was unclear who would govern Canada going forward. Since Carney took office, that tension has eased somewhat. To some extent, Canadians have become “desensitized,” according to Nanos. Because “he (Trump) can say one thing today and something else the next day.”
Canada and Europe should strengthen their relations
In any case, Nanos now sees the challenge for Canada and Europe to deepen their relations, and Canada’s opportunity to reduce its dependence on the U.S. Eighty-five percent support lowering trade barriers and connecting Canada’s economy more closely with the EU. “There is a strong mandate to build a stronger relationship with Europe,” says Nanos.
Brian Schmidt, a professor at Carleton University in Ottawa, believes that Canada is shocked by how strongly the U.S. has turned against their country. “They are deliberately trying to damage the Canadian economy.” Canadians see this as a betrayal given the many forms of assistance Canada has provided over the years. Schmidt recalls the Canadian firefighters who helped fight wildfires in the U.S. and the aid given after the terrorist attacks of September 2001. “Canada was always the first to help.” Now, there is “a lot of animosity and anger.”
“The attack with talks of Canada as the 51st U.S. state caught us completely off guard“
The attack with talks of Canada as the 51st U.S. state and the belittling of the Prime Minister as a governor “caught us completely off guard.” Given the size difference between the economies, there is an “asymmetric relationship” between the U.S. and Canada. “Trump sees our vulnerability.” Schmidt sees the U.S. on a path toward “a kind of fascist authoritarian state.”
One person aiming to send a message during these times of Trump’s attacks is the German-born chocolatier Heinrich Stubbe in Ottawa — with chocolate.“Canada is not for sale” is written on dark chocolate bars in white chocolate, as is “Elbows up.” “I had to do something,” he says. The slogans supporting Canada resonate with everyone. “These are statements that anyone who loves Canada can identify with.”He offers the political chocolate in the official languages English and French, as well as in German, Spanish, and Mandarin. Stubbe plans to keep this sweet culinary tribute to Canada in his product range until Trump is “gone.”
Gerd Braune has been living in Canada’s capital, Ottawa, since 1997 to report on the vast country in North America. Braune studied political science and law in Trier and then worked for the news agency AP as a correspondent for Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate, and from 1992 to 1997 as a news editor at the Frankfurter Rundschau.
