I try to keep this space politics-free, but sometimes I see or hear something in the news that inspires my writing. Today’s inspiration came from an MSNBC video featuring Rachel Maddow, who discussed Canada’s stance on trade tariffs with the US.
Since I don’t want to go too far down the rabbit hole, I’ll condense the situation here:
Canada did something the US didn’t like, so the US levied tariffs as a punishment of sorts. I’m sure some will say that’s an oversimplification of the issue, but I’m not here to write a white paper; I’m just using this as an example of how to deal with bullies effectively.
Canada’s response to the tariffs is what I want to focus on. Rather than bend to the desires of the US, Canada has chosen to find new players in the game. The reality the US government overlooked is that an increasingly global economy means no country is confined to playing with just its closest neighbours.
I may not be living in Canada right now, but that doesn’t stop me from being a proud Canadian. I’m happy to hear that the country is looking for different (perhaps better?) trade partners, and not taking the US trade strategies lying down.
As someone who experienced bullying in the past, I know how empowering it can feel when you stand up for yourself, even when you didn’t think you had the courage or strength. If there’s one thing past experiences have taught me, it’s that most bullies underestimate their victims, and once confronted, they often back down.
I’m unsure where Canada-US relations are headed, but it’s heartening to see the Canadian government considering its options and not passively accepting US bully tactics. 🩵