Silly me, I thought this nonsense with Trump trying to annex Canada was over. Instead he’d punish them with tariffs, and being Trump attempt to taunt them about how if they were the last country on earth they could never, ever be part of the U.S. Fine, I was stupid to think Trump wouldn’t revive his 51st State crap. He’s at it again, and boy is he tossing out some batshit insane talk this time!
As for Canada, I’m guessing they too thought we were past the whole annexation/51st State thing and all they had to do was deal with a trade war. Now they probably feel like Michael in Godfather 3, when he says “Just when I thought I was out – they pull me back in!” In this very short article from Newsweek we learn Trump’s back on his ‘I want Canada” thing. This is about Trumpty’s Golden Dome. The missile shield, not that duckass combover hairdo of his he uses to hide his baldness. Between that and PAINTING HIS FACE ORANGE I just don’t get how MAGAs see him as anything other than a buffoon. But I digress.
You don’t have to understand ballistic missiles to look at a globe and see how some countries with a LOT of nukes would fire them over the north Pole, which means tracking stations and even anti missile systems would need to be based there. No Canada participation, no Trump Golden Dome. The subject of whether such a system which at first glance seems like a good idea is in fact an actual good idea is a much longer and more complicated topic. However, assuming it’s a good one Canada would benefit from being part of it. So there’s that.
It’s the terms that are at issue. Trump says they’ve either got to pay up or agree to become part of the U.S. I’m not kidding. He’s quite specific in fact:
The president posted on Truth Social, “I told Canada, which very much wants to be part of our fabulous Golden Dome System, that it will cost $61 Billion Dollars if they remain a separate, but unequal, Nation, but will cost ZERO DOLLARS if they become our cherished 51st State. They are considering the offer!”
Let’s start with that last part about Canada considering the “offer.” First of all it’s more of a threat. Like some gang going outside their territory and telling some businesses how much they will have to cough up for ‘protection’, but that if they agree to become part of the gang’s ‘territory’ said protection will cost much less. Personally I think Canada has something else in mind.
Canada is a big-ass country with a LOT of sky above it. Without them being part of Trump’s (probable) Golden Dome Boondoggle there’s no Golden Dome. They know it. So do folks in the GOP and those still working in the administration who are competent. That actually know sh*t. I don’t think ALL of them have been fired yet… It would take a lot of sophisticated radar tracking stations in Canada that are plugged into NORAD. Then there are the anti-ICBM missile sites. One doesn’t have to be an expert to know you’d want a lot of that as far north as possible. However you’d also want two or three “rows” of that stuff.
In the end what it boils down to is NEEDING Canada to make the whole thing even plausible. If anyone charges anyone anything, it will be Canada dictating the terms. Without realizing it Trump has just handed them a weapon to use AGAINST him in trad negotiations. Keep an eye on this. If Canada decides to twist Trump’s tail it could get pretty entertaining.
***From Ursula*** Zoomers, if you’re able to contribute in any way, we could use help. I’ve been ill and recuperating from a brief hospitalization. Times are tough for political commentary to begin with, and that’s been the case since November 5. Half the country is in a major depression. But we need to keep on keeping on. This too shall pass and there will be a brighter, post-Trump day if we work for it. Please join us and help if you can. Thank you. Ursula
But, what Drumpf fails to understand is that Canada is much less of a target to a hostile power shooting nukes over the North Pole if it’s an independent country than part of the US.
And Canada can always respond, “We’re part of NATO you orange-faced sack of $#!+ with you. You are OBLIGATED to come to our aid if we’re attacked. If you’re going back on that nearly 80 year obligation–and, by the way, we came to YOUR aid when the US invoked the obligation in 2001 without any preconditions–then why should we believe you’d really honor your obligation to our paying anything. Oh, and by the way, good luck with your country’s children tracking Santa’s movements this year without OUR help.”
It’s truly marvellous to see all the creative ways Trump can f-ck up “the art of the deal.”