‘Canada, our closest friend’

Re: Trump’s tirade sparks support for PM, June 11

If Canadians are wondering what is going on in the United States with the president, rest assured that most of us Americans are trying to figure that out, too. Alienating our closest friend, Canada — not to mention our other global allies — at the G7 summit was predictable, given the Trump administration’s blundering, populist, nationalistic approach to nearly everything. But that is not how Americans define diplomacy or good citizenship, nor is it an approach with which we agree.

Trump’s trade-war/sanctions are bush-league, to begin with. But for him to expect that the Canadian people would get kicked under the bus without a fight, demonstrates the sort of disdain and arrogance that is quintessentially Donald Trump. That Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stood up to this global bully was not only to be expected — but should be applauded.

My wife and I have lived within a few hours’ drive of the border for our entire lives. My grandfather was from Newfoundland. We have a family member who is married to a Canadian and who lives in the Maritimes. My wife’s nieces and nephews and their families are Canadians. We visit Canada often; we vacation there; and we respect Canadians as our neighbours, our friends, and our allies.

Keep in mind, Trump lost the popular election in 2016 by some three million votes. He was elected only because of an historical artifact in our Constitution — and also, of course, with the help of dark mega-money and Vladimir Putin.

But, 2020 is only two years away, and I trust that millions of rational U.S. voters will tell Trump, “You’re fired.” We the people will consign this embarrassing administration and its leader to the dust bin of history.

Indeed, if there’s a “special place in hell” for Mr. Trudeau, I have no doubt that Mr. Trump will be saving him a seat by the fire.