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Originally Posted by retsuki03
Spoken like a true ally of the US rather than an antagonist.
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I have been on the side of the USA, and I have disagreed with the USA, on many issues.
Am I a 'true ally' of the US? Well, I do believe in people free from oppression. I believe that markets are extremely useful, but they are not god. I believe that intelligent life is valueable. I believe in truth.
However, insofar as the US's acts are defined and determined by realpolitik, I'm at best an ally of convienience, and at worst a sworn enemy.
People and nation's whose ideology is summed up by "look out for #1" are not my allies, nor are they my friends. They are dangerous sociopaths who should be locked up for everyone's protection.
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Originally Posted by retsuki03
You know the Canadian economy is largely dependent on the American economy. We buy 85% of your exports. Canada could hurt the US economically, but would probably hurt itself more in the process.
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The neat thing about exports is they are excess goods. Stopping all imports hurts your standard of living in and of itself: stopping all exports doesn't.
Exports provide currency to buy imports or other goods.
Second of all, as the MAD docterine demonstrated so nicely during the cold war, being willing to burn the house down on a point of principle is sometimes a useful and nessicary tool. Otherwise you become hostage to anyone who owns a match.
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Originally Posted by retsuki03
I am not quite sure what you are suggesting here. You think Canada should threaten the US with nuclear weapons? You really think this is a good idea? I hope that is sarcasm.
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It's realpolitik. Canada's bargaining position with the USA would be higher if we could destroy most large US cities. The implicit escalation at the end of a trade dispute would then exist.
Note the part of my post where I disclaimed all previous content in it as stupid. The nuclear bomb statement was a bit of 'idiot theatre'.
Personally, I prefer the rule of law (even internationally) and international institutions that mediate disputes.
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Originally Posted by retsuki03
So, the US doesn't allow Canadian beef in and that means we don't want a friendly, peaceful, non-coersive relationship? Do you really think the US is the root of all evil or something? Disputes happen and they get worked out (usually without nuclear weapons involved). Have you ever had an arguement with a friend? Americans want a friendly relationship with Canada, it is in both our interests.
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The USA deciding that international trade agreements are less important than political points back home means they are breaking faith.
Softwood lumber, steel, beef, the annexation of soverienty over Canadian airspace...
The USA is not the source of all evil. At the same time, they are currently the only expansionist imperial military power on the planet.
Possibly there are two other powers which are only non-expansionistic/non-powers because of the US's dominance: China and the proto-Caliphate.
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Originally Posted by retsuki03
I am really not sure what agreements your talking about so it would be unfair for me to comment on them. Regardless, you seem to have a view that conservatives are usually stereotyped with- an inability to see the grey area. You have this "fight them, or get fucked by them attitude." I don't see it that way at all. Many accuse the current American administration of lacking dipomacy, I think your charictarization of the situation also shows a surprising lack in that department.
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I have come to the conclusion that the party in control of the USA views comprimise, negotiation, and diplomacy as weakness. Look at their political appointees, look at their foriegn policy, look at their rhetoric.
You can't be diplomatic with people who ignore diplomacy. The alternative to diplomacy is force. In the event this keeps up, the world will either bend knee to America, or oppose it.
I don't want this to happen. And, like I said, it's one administration. Possibly the American people will change their mind, and the long term problem I'm speculating about won't happen. Possibly they won't. Possibly economic realities will make the point moot.
It doesn't mean I'm not worried.