Opportunity of the Century
Published in Le Devoir
(Canada) on 13 January 2025
by Saber Labidi (link to original)
(Canada) on 13 January 2025
by Saber Labidi (link to original)
Translated from
by Soeli Leverett.
Edited by Helaine Schweitzer.
Donald Trump's desire to annex Canada as the 51st state is very likely to go down in the history of both countries. The belligerent remarks — the declaration of a trade war — from soon-to-be President Trump are not only intolerable but demand a forceful response. And that is precisely the problem: There is a worrying lack of leadership on this side of the border!
It's true that Canada's trade balance, driven mainly by exports of energy products, weighs in Canada’s favor. In Trump's eyes, this is a casus belli justifying a trade war. This could lead to stingy reflexes and great intellectual dishonesty on the American side. As many have already said, our neighbor will have to resist these siren songs because our economies are integrated and mutually beneficial.
Ultimately, economic hostility between both countries would inevitably harm both sides of the border, and yet still others argue that Trump can't be serious. Even if it were a negotiating strategy, Trump's shin-kicking approach will prove to be counterproductive and will weaken our respective economies by establishing a cycle of mistrust.
All of that has been mentioned ad nauseam in the media. What no one has talked about as much is how Trump's (and Elon Musk's) inopportune attacks are a historic opportunity for Canada!
Political Opportunity
The next American president’s belligerence has a power to rally that is unprecedented in terms of national unity. How many nations have been made stronger by threats of war or intimidation between two states?
Ancient Greece's city-states were able to unite their forces, despite internal divisions, and resist Xerxes, the Persian conqueror of the fifth century B.C. They went from strength to strength, creating the foundations for the Golden Age of Athens, a period of cultural and political blossoming.
Later, Joan of Arc would make her own mark on history, leading French troops to decisive victories that allowed France to gradually reclaim its territory from England. Removing the English from French soil strengthened France's national identity, a story which still resonates today.
More recently, Upper Canada's defense during the War of 1812 remains one of our country's founding myths. The British forces, allied with Canadian militias and Native nations, helped drive out the United States in its bid to annex Upper Canada. Together with building genuine cooperation between the colonial and native communities, this war consolidated a sense of Canadian identity. What may have been a disaster at the start turned out to be a blessing in disguise!
Economic Opportunity
It is abundantly clear that Canada needs to build economic partnerships outside the American sphere. We must see that the easy way out, now littered with Trumpian obstacles, is a salvation that will lead us to diversify our trade relations. We probably should have done this before now, but better late than never.
Then again, history is full of inspiring examples of countries grappling with a hostile neighbor that have sought resilience in other economic solutions. Taiwan still faces economic pressure from China, which imposes trade restrictions. Nevertheless, the island nation has succeeded in diversifying its partners, some of whom are very distant, while making itself invaluable to the semiconductor industry.
We could also mention the Baltic states, which, after their independence in 1991, had to depend heavily economically (and politically) on Russia. They strengthened their partnerships with the EU and NATO by integrating their economies with the West instead of the East.
Now is a great time to turn our economy toward the EU, Scandinavia and Latin America. Let's reach an agreement with the economic "enemies of our enemies"!
It's astounding to see our politicians in a panic, bewildered by this insult. Now more than ever is the time for diplomacy and soft power. And internally, let's roll up our sleeves and get on with building our country! The greatness of a people (and a leader) is measured by their ability to stand up when all else fails, and to embody hope, determination and quiet strength.
In politics, it is essential to know how to practice the art of judo: using your opponent's strength to your advantage. In the face of Trump's malicious posts, we need to turn obstacles into opportunities and turn the most complex situations around. That's what we expect of our leaders.
Particularly when the situation is critical and all of Canada faces an existential threat.
It's true that Canada's trade balance, driven mainly by exports of energy products, weighs in Canada’s favor. In Trump's eyes, this is a casus belli justifying a trade war. This could lead to stingy reflexes and great intellectual dishonesty on the American side. As many have already said, our neighbor will have to resist these siren songs because our economies are integrated and mutually beneficial.
Ultimately, economic hostility between both countries would inevitably harm both sides of the border, and yet still others argue that Trump can't be serious. Even if it were a negotiating strategy, Trump's shin-kicking approach will prove to be counterproductive and will weaken our respective economies by establishing a cycle of mistrust.
All of that has been mentioned ad nauseam in the media. What no one has talked about as much is how Trump's (and Elon Musk's) inopportune attacks are a historic opportunity for Canada!
Political Opportunity
The next American president’s belligerence has a power to rally that is unprecedented in terms of national unity. How many nations have been made stronger by threats of war or intimidation between two states?
Ancient Greece's city-states were able to unite their forces, despite internal divisions, and resist Xerxes, the Persian conqueror of the fifth century B.C. They went from strength to strength, creating the foundations for the Golden Age of Athens, a period of cultural and political blossoming.
Later, Joan of Arc would make her own mark on history, leading French troops to decisive victories that allowed France to gradually reclaim its territory from England. Removing the English from French soil strengthened France's national identity, a story which still resonates today.
More recently, Upper Canada's defense during the War of 1812 remains one of our country's founding myths. The British forces, allied with Canadian militias and Native nations, helped drive out the United States in its bid to annex Upper Canada. Together with building genuine cooperation between the colonial and native communities, this war consolidated a sense of Canadian identity. What may have been a disaster at the start turned out to be a blessing in disguise!
Economic Opportunity
It is abundantly clear that Canada needs to build economic partnerships outside the American sphere. We must see that the easy way out, now littered with Trumpian obstacles, is a salvation that will lead us to diversify our trade relations. We probably should have done this before now, but better late than never.
Then again, history is full of inspiring examples of countries grappling with a hostile neighbor that have sought resilience in other economic solutions. Taiwan still faces economic pressure from China, which imposes trade restrictions. Nevertheless, the island nation has succeeded in diversifying its partners, some of whom are very distant, while making itself invaluable to the semiconductor industry.
We could also mention the Baltic states, which, after their independence in 1991, had to depend heavily economically (and politically) on Russia. They strengthened their partnerships with the EU and NATO by integrating their economies with the West instead of the East.
Now is a great time to turn our economy toward the EU, Scandinavia and Latin America. Let's reach an agreement with the economic "enemies of our enemies"!
It's astounding to see our politicians in a panic, bewildered by this insult. Now more than ever is the time for diplomacy and soft power. And internally, let's roll up our sleeves and get on with building our country! The greatness of a people (and a leader) is measured by their ability to stand up when all else fails, and to embody hope, determination and quiet strength.
In politics, it is essential to know how to practice the art of judo: using your opponent's strength to your advantage. In the face of Trump's malicious posts, we need to turn obstacles into opportunities and turn the most complex situations around. That's what we expect of our leaders.
Particularly when the situation is critical and all of Canada faces an existential threat.
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