Roger-Luc Chayer (Image: AI / Gay Globe)
The economic war waged by Donald Trump against the global economy and minorities, particularly the LGBTQ+ community, has taken a new turn — the hundredth in a few weeks — proof that the President of the United States is clearly suffering from mental health issues.
Yesterday, March 26, 2025, he unexpectedly announced, without any warning, his intention to collapse the international automotive industry by imposing a 25% tariff on all imported cars to the United States. Whether they come from Mexico, Canada, China, or Europe, manufacturers will have to pay up to 25% more on the value of their vehicles. According to Donald Trump, the only solution is to relocate all global factories to the United States to avoid these tariffs — nothing less.
The United States and Canada have a pact on automobiles, and despite this historical agreement that dates back over 70 years, nothing changes. Trump has no respect for his international commitments, nor for the honor and reputation of his country.
International Counter-Tariffs and Boycott
In the same vein, Donald Trump stated that if Canada and the European Union retaliated with counter-tariffs, he would increase those of the United States once again. How far will this go? No one knows!
One solution would be to impose our own tariffs on American vehicles entering our countries. The trade balance in the automotive sector is largely in favor of the United States globally, and penalizing American manufacturers could be very costly for both businesses and Americans. However, even though the idea is tempting, the American automotive industry is deeply intertwined with Canada’s. Sanctioning our southern neighbor could therefore have negative repercussions on our own economy.
The same applies to an international boycott campaign without adding counter-tariffs. Such an initiative would cut the ground from under the feet of the American president, who would then be unable to justify new tariffs. However, this remains to be seen, as everything changes so quickly with him… In any case, not purchasing American vehicles could deal a severe blow to his industry, and it is to the American people that he should answer for his actions.
The international boycott of tariffed goods has already proven effective in the food sector. In Canada, more than 70% of the American products offered in grocery stores do not sell. Canadians are actively turning to products from many other countries in response to Trump’s tariff war. It works, and it hurts!
A major vegetable producer in Florida said in an interview with ABC News this week that he will probably have to destroy his entire harvest due to lack of orders. Other countries are also refusing to buy his products in solidarity with Canada and in protest against the commercial war that the U.S. dictator is waging against the world.
What If We Allowed Chinese Electric Cars Into Canada?
Another bold solution would be to allow Chinese electric cars to enter Canada. These vehicles, such as those from BYD, are technically superior to what is made in the U.S., including Tesla.
We remember that in better days with our southern neighbor, and to protect its automotive industry, which is deeply intertwined with Canada’s, the Canadian government imposed a 100% tariff on Chinese cars. At that time, a high-quality electric vehicle cost around 10,000 Canadian dollars. The application of such a tax made these cars prohibitively expensive.
In response to Canadian tariffs, China imposed counter-tariffs last week on pork, canola oil, and other Canadian products, which could harm our own food industry.
So why not reconsider our economic relationship with China? Why continue to try to protect the American automotive industry if we are being penalized for nothing?
A dialogue between Canada, Europe, and China could allow for the cancellation of the 100% tariff on Chinese cars, facilitate the arrival of highly competitive electric vehicles in the Canadian market, meet the electrification goals of many provinces, and put immense pressure on the United States.
This measure would also require China to establish its factories in Canada for vehicles destined for the Canadian market, compensating for the job losses linked to the current factories.
Finally, China could also cancel its tariffs on Canadian products and usher in a new era of economic collaboration between the two countries — and why not with Europe?
Trump’s Backlash
In this period of global economic warfare, launched by Donald Trump without any reason and under false pretexts such as borders and fentanyl, all bets are off. The goal is to protect our economies as best as possible and open new economic opportunities. The Prime minister of Quebec, François Legault, stated that this was an essential exit strategy, while the Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, emphasized that the country would support any initiative that helps Canadian industries and develops new markets.
A concerted international strategy could hurt the United States so much that President Trump and his Congress may not survive the next midterm elections, in less than a year and 10 months. By then, the world will certainly have changed, for the better and for good!
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