The Journey of a Thousand Miles

This time, rather than bombs it was bombast. The so-called "leaders" of the once great US of A has compelled Canada to call the bully and his toadies' bluff. The huff and puff that Vance so tactlessly attributed to our Prime Minister ended up spewing from Trump and his minions. Like bullies in the school yard who have faced a response they did not expect, they have resorted to their pitiful name calling and childish insults.

Trump used the same playbook he would employ as "developer" to string his suppliers out to the end of a deal and then change the rules at the last moment. This invariably would  force the businesses to which he owned millions into bankruptcy, having been ground down to a defenseless position. Given their position relative to the predator, they could not sustain the fight and had to cut their losses. Check the record, this is how Trump operated time and time again.

Trump has never come to terms with the reality that global business is not like a real-estate deal. Despite the difference in size and scale, bullying a smaller nation-state into a corner, does not necessarily yield the same unbalanced result. There are other checks and balances at play and Canadian negotiators have certainly thought this through. These checks and balances will be revealed in due course.

This is the very reason that I have advocated since the beginning of my blog, that we can and must pursue other options. The good news is that the ball has been rolling in that direction for months. While what we have to do to make ourselves less reliant on the American predator will take years, it was long overdue that we started the process to that end. As Lau Tzu said: "the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step" (Tao Te Ching, 4th Century BC). The essence of the message is that action conquers fear. We have started making those steps and the actions set in motion over the last few days will eventually yield a stronger and less dependent Canada. This is, I submit, a turning point for our country.

Moreover, for Team Canada to have folded and accepted all the elements of the trade deal proposed by the US side would have been political disaster. Every province, and I suggest, the vast majority of Canadians did not want to be humiliated with an unreasonable and one-sided deal. We have learned that we are not entirely without power and we have used it to noticeable effect.  The dependance of many northern States and many US businesses on our various forms of business with them is a weapon we can use to greater effect. It is unfortunate that we are forced to do so - but as our PM has said - we have been attacked, and we have every right to respond in kind. Eventually we will not need to rely on attack, and whatever we are able to change along the road ahead, will allow us to defend ourselves, strategically and economically, as we build a more resilient Canada. 

This may not be Trump's Waterloo, but in that he was so determined to demonstrate his toughness and get a "win" after mounting losses and pressures in another war he started, he has lost this one in spades. Our allies will be watching and noting that instead of pussy footing around the bully, if Canada can stand up against him, they can too.

Much remains to be revealed as we double down on protecting our sovereignty and what makes us a respected and respectful nation. I for one have every confidence we can weather the storm as we take further steps toward the thousand mile journey we have ahead of us. It will take the patience and fortitude of all Canadians to do so. However, we have demonstrated throughout our history, that we are capable of fighting, and winning, our own battles.