America First – mackaycartoons

Friday November 8, 2024

November 8, 2024 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday November 8, 2024

Chrystia Freeland’s Assurance on Canada-U.S. Relations Rings Hollow Amid Trump’s Second Term

November 12, 2016

Canada will be “absolutely fine” under a Trump presidency, according to Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland. But with a federal election likely looming and Donald Trump’s familiar, no-holds-barred approach to trade, defence, and immigration back in the White House, this reassurance from Freeland seems more wishful thinking than grounded in reality.

August 28, 2018

Certainly, experience matters. Freeland, who was foreign affairs minister during the last round of NAFTA negotiations, has a track record of navigating turbulent waters with the Trump administration. However, the notion that Canada is prepared for what’s coming lacks specifics. If the 2016 election taught Canada anything, it’s that Trump’s promises to “get tough” on trade and protect “American jobs” are more than rhetoric. Trump has now proposed a 10% tariff on all imports, a move the Canadian Chamber of Commerce warns could cut Canadians’ real income by 1.5%, alongside productivity losses on both sides of the border. And yet, Freeland offers few details about her government’s “plan” to defend Canada’s national interest beyond vague commitments to “keep talking” with former Trump officials like Robert Lighthizer.

Video: ‘Canada will be absolutely fine,’ says Freeland following Trump U.S. election win

October 20, 2016

While Freeland points to Canada’s robust economic ties with the U.S. as “leverage,” this optimistic view underestimates Trump’s protectionist mindset. Yes, nearly $3.6 billion in trade crosses the Canada-U.S. border daily, but Trump’s “America First” policies historically prioritize American industries, not bilateral partnerships. If there’s one lesson from Trump’s first term, it’s that he doesn’t hesitate to use tariffs as a blunt instrument, even against close allies. Canada’s critical manufacturing, steel, and aluminum industries were hit with tariffs in 2018, and a fresh round of import restrictions could be catastrophic.

News: A decade on, the ‘This is fine’ creator wants to put the famous dog to rest

January 11, 2016

Beyond trade, the Deputy Prime Minister’s optimism seems unfounded on the immigration front. Trump’s renewed promises of mass deportations of undocumented immigrants will likely lead to a surge of asylum-seekers heading north. Canada’s border agencies are under-resourced for such an influx, and recent pressures on immigration and refugee systems indicate that handling a potential spike could overwhelm Canada’s ability to process claims. Freeland’s remarks sidestepped this, despite its likely impact on Canadian cities, social services, and resources.

July 12, 2018

Then there’s the potential impact on defence and foreign policy. Trump’s insistence that NATO allies, including Canada, “pay their fair share” could reignite tensions within the alliance. With the U.S. pouring billions into defence, Trump has historically expected Canada to increase its contributions. A major defence expenditure would strain Canada’s budget, especially with high inflation and deficits already stretching public resources. Freeland’s assurances may sound good on paper, but funding an increase in military spending without cutting essential services is a tall order, and Canadians should question whether this is a realistic path forward.

News: We have a plan’ for Trump’s second presidency, Chrystia Freeland says

April 22, 2024

The timing of Freeland’s comments raises even more questions. With a federal election expected within the year, and polls favouring a Conservative government, her reassurances could be more about optics than actionable policy. Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative leader, has yet to articulate a clear approach to dealing with Trump’s “America First” policies, and Canadians don’t yet know if a Poilievre government would chart a collaborative or confrontational course. As voters head to the polls, they deserve a choice: a clear stance from both parties on how each would approach the challenge of a volatile American partner. Freeland’s plan is on the table, but it’s crucial for the Conservatives to offer their own vision, ensuring Canadians have a democratic choice on the future of Canada-U.S. relations.

November 17, 2016

As it stands, Canadians are left with more questions than answers. Freeland’s “plan” lacks the specifics needed to reassure the public. Canada should be taking proactive measures now—strengthening trade alliances outside the U.S., investing in border security, and preparing resources for a potential refugee surge. Without clear, decisive actions from either side of the political aisle, Freeland’s assurances feel hollow, and Canadians have every right to feel concerned about what lies ahead under Trump’s second term.

In case you’re scratching your head over the reference in my latest cartoon, I’ve borrowed from KC Green’s classic webcomic meme, “This is fine.” You’ve probably seen it— a cartoon dog sits with a smile, coffee in hand, as the room blazes around him. This image has become a shorthand for coping with disaster, or at least pretending to. Given Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland’s recent assurances that we have little to worry about with Trump’s return to power, I found this to be a fitting way to convey the gap between reassuring words and the high-stakes reality at our doorstep.

Green created “This is fine” back in 2013 as part of his Gunshow series, and it quickly went viral for its humour and relatability. The dog, later named Question Hound, became a symbol for anyone quietly facing chaos, making it one of the most enduring internet memes of the past decade. Green has mentioned that the comic was a way to channel his own mental health struggles at the time, and while it’s taken on a life of its own, he’s embraced how others relate to it.

As someone who’s had my own work recycled and repurposed—my “4 Waves”cartoon, for example—I get the complications of seeing your creation take on new lives and meanings. So, in the tradition of tipping my hat to the original creators I draw from, I’ve credited Green with “apologies to KC Green” at the bottom of my piece. This is the first time I’ve done a parody of his work, but as with my previous adaptations of classic art like Gillray’s “Plumb-pudding in Danger,” it’s a nod to a timeless image that speaks volumes. In this case, it’s about capturing the surreal feeling of being told, “We’re fine,” while the flames say otherwise. (Sound up for the animated version)

– The Graeme Gallery

Read on Substack

(Post Cartoon) Opinion: Justin Trudeau is already getting it wrong on Trump

Thursday September 17, 2020

September 24, 2020 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday September 17, 2020

U.S. calls off tariffs on Canadian aluminum — for now

The United States hit the pause button on tariffs on Canadian aluminum today, agreeing to withdraw current penalties — at least until after the presidential election in November.

November 21, 2019

The move came right as Canada was set to impose a wide range of retaliatory measures that would have hit some politically inconvenient targets for President Donald Trump as he seeks re-election.

Ottawa was planning to reveal its targets for retaliation at 3 p.m. ET today. Shortly after noon, however, the U.S. abruptly declared it would drop its recently imposed 10 per cent import tax on Canadian aluminum — and revisit the issue every month.

That doesn’t mean the conflict is over. In making the announcement, the U.S. unilaterally set monthly targets for the volume of aluminum imports it will accept from Canada without a tariff.

Those targets set by the U.S. take effect in September. The U.S. said it will monitor export volumes six weeks after the end of every month — which punts the issue to mid-November, right after the Nov. 3 presidential election.

May 24, 2019

A Washington trade expert who worked in the Obama White House said it appears the Trump administration wanted to postpone a politically risky fight.

According to Canadian officials, the list of retaliatory tariffs Canada was preparing to impose Tuesday would have struck the very Ohio washing-machine plant where Trump announced his levy on cross-border aluminum.

“I think the threat the Canadian government made of retaliation was credible,” said Chad Bown, a trade official in the Obama White House and senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics.

“[It had] the potential to hurt some of President Trump’s voters.”

The federal government welcomed the U.S. decision — but warned it’s still prepared to impose retaliatory measures if necessary. (CBC)

Thursday November 23, 2017

November 22, 2017 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday November 23, 2017

U.S. NAFTA auto proposal faces criticism from Canada and Mexico

The United States negotiating team found itself squeezed at home and abroad during NAFTA talks on Monday, with various actors from Canada, Mexico and within the U.S. pressing it to reconsider demands called unworkable and unworthy of serious bargaining.

November 14, 2017

The Canadian and Mexican governments have refused to produce a counterproposal at the current round of talks on auto policy and are instead delivering a presentation on the self-inflicted damage they claim it would wreak upon America.

Their case was bolstered within the U.S. Senate.

A major auto association told a hearing that the current proposal could induce companies to leave this continent and simply pay import tariffs. This was on the same day that 18 U.S. senators sent a letter demanding the administration conduct an economic analysis before making any changes to NAFTA.

August 24, 2017

The U.S. stunned its partners by demanding that car companies quickly transform their supply chains to boost North American content; ensure half of a car’s parts come from the U.S.; use a new, stricter formula for calculating the origins of a car’s components; and do it all within a year.

“No vehicle produced today could meet such an onerous standard,” the Senate hearing was told by the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.

“This proposal is unprecedented and would have significant ramifications on our industry and the U.S. economy, as a whole.”

The U.S. negotiating team is urging people to tone down the rhetoric.

August 17, 2017

It apparently views such proposals as a starting point. An American source familiar with the talks pointed to evidence of the U.S. willingness to negotiate in good faith: the very broadly phrased list of American objectives published online last week.

In a few cases, that list includes specific numbers — like the demand that Canada relax its duties on online purchases by $780. In the case of automobiles, though, there are no numbers — just a reference to a desire for U.S. content in cars.

June 29, 2016

The source said this is normal in negotiating. But what’s less normal, the source said, is the public rhetoric by the Canadian side, with talk of red-lines and non-starters that will make it harder to advance negotiations.

The Canadians adopted a deliberate strategy at this round of proposing nothing on the hardest issues.

Instead, they will deliver a presentation and demand details. Along with Mexico, Canada will press the American side for clarity on how the auto proposal would work, with the subtext of that conversation being their belief that the proposal would not, in fact, work at all. (Source: Toronto Star)

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Tuesday November 14, 2017

November 13, 2017 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday November 14, 2017

Trans-Pacific Trade Partners Are Moving On, Without the U.S.

President Trump shook up the world economic order this year by pulling the United States out of a major international trade pact and raising fundamental questions about its global role.

October 11, 2017

Today, the world is moving on without it.

A group of 11 countries announced on Saturday that they had committed to resurrecting a sweeping multinational trade agreement, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, without the United States. A new deal, which would have to be signed and ratified by each country, would include major United States allies like Japan, Canada and Mexico. Collectively, they account for about a sixth of global trade.

The agreement will “serve as a foundation for building a broader free-trade area” across Asia, Taro Kono, Japan’s foreign minister, said in a statement.

May 24, 2017

Pointedly, the potential members of what is now called the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership came to an early agreement on the broad outline of a deal while many of their leaders were meeting with Mr. Trump in Vietnam — itself a potential member of the new trading group.

Some details of a new deal, including when rules would be phased in, still need to be determined, and prospective member states like Canada raised last-minute concerns. But a new deal could be announced as soon as early next year.

Other countries are slowly but surely making progress on their own sweeping trade deals, without any participation from the United States. China is negotiating a potential deal with 16 Asia-Pacific countries, including Japan, India and South Korea. The European Union and Japan hope to strike separate trade pacts with a group of South American countries, Brazil and Argentina among them.

From tough talk on China (“they took our jobs”) to casting doubt on the decades-old North American Free Trade Agreement (“the worst trade deal ever made”), Mr. Trump has threatened to lob a grenade at an increasingly integrated global economic system. (Continued: New York Times)

Wednesday July 26, 2017

July 25, 2017 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday July 26, 2017

Rising loonie: The Winners

Buoyed by strong sentiment about the state of the Canadian economy, and getting the benefit of general weakness in the U.S. greenback, the Canadian dollar is now flying in territory it hasn’t seen in two years.

A recent interest rate increase by the Bank of Canada, and the expectation of more to come, has the loonie up about 10 per cent over the past six weeks. The Canadian dollar rose above 80 cents US on Monday before closing at 79.97 cents US.

January 14, 2016

“The obvious winner would be the average Canadian, just in terms of their travel plans or in terms of what they buy from the U.S.,” said Doug Porter, chief economist at Bank of Montreal.

The recent loftiness of the loonie makes it cheaper for Canadians to travel when they buy vacations priced in U.S. dollars.

For example, a one-week cruise out of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., priced at $878 US would have cost $1,203 Cdn when the loonie was trading at 73 cents US. With the loonie at 80 cents, that same cruise would cost $1,097 Cdn — meaning a consumer would save $106.

Similar to consumers, Canadian businesses that buy goods or services in U.S. dollars would wind up paying less for those items after factoring in the effects of our fluctuating currency.

For example, professional sports teams often pay player contracts in U.S. dollars. A stronger loonie means the revenue earned in Canadian dollar goes further when it comes to paying players in greenbacks. (Source: CBC News)

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