Canada and the U.S.: Time to Rethink our Relationship
For too long, we as Canadians have clung to the idea that we are America's "best friend and closest ally." ?One of the sacrilegious rules in doing business, never do business with best friends nor family. What we have is a business relationship with the US. By definition, a professional connection between businesses, organizations or countries, that enables mutually benefical commerce. Unfortunately we now find ourselves in a relationship with an amoral business leader. One who cares about everything and nothing.
Let’s be honest—this is not for us Canadian's to declare. It is for the Americans to say, and their silence on the matter speaks volumes. We are not family. We are not best friends. We can be friendly, but there is no special relationship—just business. The sooner we accept this reality, the sooner we can move on, the better we can position ourselves for success.
At present, many Canadians feel wronged, abused, betrayed, because we value fair play, values, while the current American leadership does not. As with any business relationship in this situation, it’s time to move past the disappointment. Yes with change comes pain.
The CUSMA ( Canada US Mexico Agreement, lets get it right and NOT the US bastardized abbreviation USMCA) a legally binding trade agreement, signed by Trump on Nov.30, 2018 and became law July 01, 2020. ?History and experience has proven when leaders and or partners do not honour their commitments, the law, when there is no respect left, its time to also go silent, taking the higher road and respecting the President of the United States, and the people who put him there and moving on, as good neighours do. ?
We must approach this relationship with a businesslike mindset, sever the emotional ties. Protests and symbolic gestures, like booing the American anthem, may feel satisfying but accomplish nothing. The world has changed, and we must govern ourselves accordingly—with steel, resources, smarts, and strategic ruthlessness.
A Look at Our Own House
Canada finds itself in a weakened position. Why? A similar story as the US. A lack of strategic, moral, business like mind set leader, who we voted in nine years ago. ?We have done nothing in last several years to improve our position.? Some may argue this, with the legalize of marijuana. ??To the point, we continue to sell our raw unprocessed resources, to our best friend, because of the lack of infrastructure and ability to export “unprocessed”, "raw" resources and have not diversified our trade partnerships. Our federal government has not adequately prepared Canada for the economic turbulence that comes with unpredictable American leadership, nor has it taken national security and sovereignty seriously. Instead, we’ve spent years on introspection, navel gazing and “nice to haves” instead of tackling the pressing “need to do” issues.
Yet, again, we have been blessed with everything a country could wish for—vast resources, a stable weel educatied society, diverse labour force and a solid identity. What we need now is a clear-eyed approach to harnessing our strengths. It’s time to stop lamenting and start leading.
Navigating the Trump Factor
Those familiar with business negotiations will recognize these three guiding principles:
This is a classic shake-down strategy. Trump doesn’t care about Canada or Canadians, but he does care about his popularity. As soon as the ill though out tariffs backfire and with American businesses, labour groups and politicians , already starting to pushing back, he will change course. He talks tough but is loyal to nothing. When his approval ratings drop, he will pivot—blaming someone else in the process, thus his minions, his yes men.
The Long Game
Yes, the short term may be painful. But the long game favours Canada. We are not, and will never be, the 51st state. Instead of seeking validation from our southern business neighbor, we should focus on building resilience, diversifying our markets, improving productivity, technology and adding value to our rich resources and only then selling them at a premium. ?Leading and governing with a firm, pragmatic approach.
It’s time to stop seeing ourselves through an American lens. Canada is strong. Canada is independent. And Canada has the potential to lead—not follow—on the global stage.? TA right to ?be an International Leader, that other countries, including the US will line up to do business with.
Enjoy this long holiday Canada weekend!?
John ?Rudnick
President and Owner at Dominion Lending Centres Main Street Financial
3 天前Yes...Time to move on and control our destiny.
President @ Amuleta Security | Veteran, Licensed P.I. + Security Consultant, investigative digital forensics, technical surveillance countermeasures (TSCM and networks). Focused on corporate investigations.
2 周What respect? I have none, zero, nor would I lower myself to the point where I would show any. This is a country devolving into lawlessness, fascism and anarchy, and it should be treated as such. They can make America great inside their own borders, as they obviously treat the outside world like crap. The Americans voted for what they got, they have to live with it, but we don't.
John A. Rudnick HBA, MBA , America has already done thinking and took action, it’s out time to think deeper whether we can trust them again, are we that naive? history says that in the last 50 years whoever got in proximate relationship with US, their citizens paid big price for it. I.e. IRAQ, Afghanistan, Vietnam etc. Also history says that countries with sharing borders never lasted long-enough as friends. Canada needs leaders like John A. MacDonald who never get intimidated by any other world leaders. Secondly, if there is a time for Canadian to be patriotic, it is now be it employee or entrepreneur, history has given us another opportunity to stand up and rise…!!!!
President and Owner at Dominion Lending Centres Main Street Financial
3 周Move On? The issues run much deeper. What they are telling us is that agreements are not worth the paper you wipe your but with. How can you trust any agreement moving forward? How can businesses plan and invest if they know that regime change will be disruptive.