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Wednesday March 5, 2025

March 5, 2025 by Graeme MacKay

Trump's tariffs, justified by a fentanyl pretext, strain U.S.-Canada relations, threaten economic stability, and serve broader political agendas.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator –Wednesday March 5, 2025

Fentanyl as a Flimsy Ruse – Unveiling the Real Motives Behind Trump’s Economic Gambit

Tuesday February 4, 2025

From a Canadian perspective, the recent decision by President Trump to impose steep 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, under the guise of addressing fentanyl trafficking, appears to be a thinly veiled pretext for what is essentially an economic war with America’s closest allies. The real motives seem to lie elsewhere, and the consequences of this strategy are likely to be far-reaching and detrimental, particularly for Canada.

News: Justin Trudeau slams Donald Trump’s ‘totally false’ justification for tariffs

The claim that these tariffs are necessary to combat fentanyl flows is tenuous at best. Data indicates that the majority of fentanyl entering the U.S. originates from other sources, such as China and Mexico, not Canada. This casts doubt on the validity of using fentanyl as a primary justification for such drastic economic measures against a long-standing ally.

February 2, 2025

Trump’s determination to impose tariffs, regardless of the economic damage they inflict, signals a broader agenda. The tariffs are poised to raise substantial revenue, potentially funding a hefty tax cut for the wealthiest Americans—a promise Trump has long been eager to fulfill. While this may serve the interests of a select few, it raises serious questions about whether it will genuinely improve the cost of living for everyday Americans or Canadians, who are caught in the crossfire.

The impact on consumers and industries cannot be overstated. As tariffs increase the cost of goods, from cars to everyday essentials like eggs, the financial burden will inevitably fall on households across both countries. The ripple effects will extend to industries that rely on cross-border trade, threatening jobs and destabilizing the very economic sectors that underpin our prosperity.

WSJ: Trump Takes the Dumbest Tariff Plunge

The Wall Street Journal has aptly criticized these measures, labeling them as some of the “dumbest tariffs” imposed in recent history. This sentiment echoes the concerns of economists and trade experts who warn of the profound negative consequences that such policies can unleash. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau echoed it in a direct response to the President during a press conference with the statement, “Donald, This is a Very Dumb Thing To Do.”

Canada faces unprecedented challenges as it deals with U.S. tariff threats, prompting a reevaluation of its economic and diplomatic strategies in a rapidly changing global landscape.

January 31, 2025

or Canada, the interconnected nature of the North American auto sector, with its intricate cross-border supply chains, will face tremendous pressures as these tariffs take hold. Undoing the current processes and reliance built into this sector will not only take a long time to untangle but will also cost countless jobs across a wide range of industries. The complexity and integration developed over decades cannot simply be unraveled without severe economic fallout.

Moreover, the diplomatic fallout is significant. By alienating traditional allies and neighbours, Trump risks not only economic repercussions but also a deterioration of trust and cooperation on a myriad of global issues. For Canada, this means grappling with strained relations at a time when collaboration and mutual support are more critical than ever.

News: Donald Trump jolts stock markets with plan to impose 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico

In pursuing this economic gambit, Trump appears willing to gamble with the economic stability of both nations and the livelihoods of millions. The promise of a short-term fiscal gain for a privileged few comes at the expense of long-term economic health and international goodwill. It is a strategy fraught with peril and one that Canadians, alongside our American neighbours, may find difficult to reconcile.

As the situation unfolds, it is imperative to critically examine the motivations and implications of these policies. The stakes are high, and the path forward requires thoughtful consideration of the broader economic and diplomatic landscape—one that values collaboration over confrontation and prosperity over protectionism.


Prime Minister Trudeau’s response to President Trump’s tariffs was spot on, echoing the Wall Street Journal with “Donald, this is a very dumb thing to do.” Unusually direct, but it sends a strong message. Trump shot back by mocking Trudeau, even calling him the “Governor of the state of Canada.”

Now, with the stock markets tanking, Trump’s Commerce Secretary Lutnick says they’re looking for a middle ground on these tariffs. Seems like the market reaction is forcing a rethink, though the damage is done. Canadians are rallying to buy local, which is something. A bridge between the two countries has been burned and it’ll take years or even generations before trust is restored, all thanks to Trump.

I’ve been hard on Trudeau in the past, but he’s handling this and other issues like Ukraine well, especially with only five days left in office.

Check out my making-of animated editorial cartoon for March 5, 2025, below! If you haven’t yet, please subscribe to my Substack newsletter, where I share weekly editorial cartoons every Saturday morning. Substack is a crucial platform for me amidst the uncertainties of being a staff cartoonist, especially given recent layoffs and newspaper closures affecting our field. As long as I hold my position, subscriptions will remain free. Thank you for your support! This “note” helps craft my weekly posts and showcases animated versions of my cartoons. Enjoy!

– The Graeme Gallery

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Posted in: Canada Tagged: 2025-05, beaver, Canada, consumers, diplomacy, Donald Trump, eagle, Justin Trudeau, tariffs, Trade, USA

Thursday October 14, 2021

October 14, 2021 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday October 14, 2021

US to reopen Mexico Canada land borders for fully vaccinated travellers

The US has said it will reopen its land borders with Mexico and Canada to fully vaccinated travellers from November.

August 28, 2021

It means those sealed out of the US because of the pandemic can enter – for any reason – using land and ferry crossing points.

Unvaccinated travellers will still be banned from entering the US from Mexico and Canada by land. Air travel is allowed with a negative Covid test.

The US has curbed travel from Mexico and Canada since March 2020.

“We are pleased to be taking steps to resume regular travel in a safe and sustainable manner,” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in a statement.

Currently, most non-US citizens who have been to the UK, China, India, South Africa, Iran, Brazil and a number of European countries within the past 14 days are not allowed into the US.

July 22, 2021

But those rules will also be lifted in November, the Biden administration announced last month.

Essential travellers, including students, truck drivers, US citizens and healthcare workers were never banned from crossing land borders. However from January 2022, they will also need to show proof of vaccination to get into the US from Mexico or Canada.

“This approach will provide ample time for essential travellers… to get vaccinated,” the Department of Homeland Security said.

An exact date in November has not yet been announced, but will be “very soon”, an official told Reuters news agency.

April 18, 2020

Canada opened its border to fully vaccinated travellers from the US on 9 August. Mexico’s border has remained open throughout the whole pandemic.

A controversial law which allows the US to swiftly expel undocumented migrants to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in holding facilities will stay in place, US media reports. The border legislation, known as Title 42, has cut off access to asylum for hundreds of thousands of migrants trying to enter from Mexico.

News of the reopening has drawn praise from US lawmakers with constituencies along the Canadian border.

Among them was Chuck Schumer, the Democrats’ Senate Majority Leader.

Redbubble Merch

“Kudos to President Biden for doing the right thing and increasing cross border travel between Canada and the US,” he said.

“This reopening will be welcome news to countless businesses, medical providers, families, and loved ones that depend on travel across the northern border,” added New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

The announcement of new rules in September was a surprise to many – coming days after the US government said it was not the right time to lift restrictions.

The US has recorded some 44.5 million coronavirus cases since the pandemic began, and more than 716,000 deaths. (BBC) 

 

Posted in: Canada, USA Tagged: 2021-34, beaver, Border, Canada, covid-19, eagle, friendship, pandemic, Pandemic Times, reopening, USA

Saturday November 7, 2020

November 9, 2020 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday November 7, 2020

Biden Agenda To Face The Challenges Of A Closely Divided Congress

President-elect Joe Biden said Friday, as ballots were still being tabulated in states across the country, that voters had spoken loudly to embrace the policies and principles he campaigned on.

October 31, 2020

“They have given us a mandate for action on COVID and the economy and climate change and systemic racism,” Biden said in a late-night speech in Wilmington, Del. “They made it clear they want the country to come together — not pull apart.”

Biden followed Saturday night by calling on Democrats and Republicans to come together after the election and pledged to join them.

“And I believe that this is part of the mandate from the American people. They want us to cooperate,” Biden said. “That’s the choice I’ll make. And I call on the Congress — Democrats and Republicans alike — to make that choice with me.”

But Biden, who secured enough votes to win the Electoral College on Saturday morning, will face a narrowly divided Congress when he takes office in January. Biden’s significant lead in the popular vote did not translate to a Democratic wave in the House and Senate, leaving Biden without the votes necessary to pursue an aggressive legislative agenda in Congress.

Democrats maintained control of the House of Representatives but the GOP made gains, picking up at least five seats in the election. Control of the Senate will remain undecided until early January following a pair of runoff elections in Georgia.

November 6, 2020

Republican reaction to Biden’s victory has been muted as focus shifts to GOP efforts to defend incumbent Sens. Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue in those Georgia seats. So far, most Republican senators, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., have not congratulated Biden or acknowledged his victory.

But Democrats are already calling those races the linchpin that determines the success of Biden’s agenda. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., used Biden’s victory as a call to arms in the Georgia races.

Regardless of the outcome in Georgia, the victors will have a narrow majority in the Senate. And Democrats will be forced to contend with divisions within their own party on some of the biggest policy items on Biden’s list.

Among the most controversial is a plan to combat climate change. Democrats themselves are not fully unified on how to approach the issue. Divisions over how quickly and aggressively to move to limit carbon emissions have simmered within the party since progressive lawmakers like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., introduced the Green New Deal — a plan to eliminate the carbon footprint by 2030 — back in 2019.

Progressive activists are also calling for Biden to move on another issue that divides the party, Medicare for All. Biden and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., both oppose the plan and instead want Obamacare expanded with a public option. But progressives argue that the party has shifted to embrace widespread government-sponsored health care.

The COVID-19 Pandemic

Biden has consistently promised that one of his top priorities will be to take immediate steps to combat and control the spread of the coronavirus, which has surged in recent weeks. His plan includes investing in expanded testing with a Pandemic Testing Board and a vast Public Health Jobs Corps as well as better tracing capacity and greater production and distribution of personal protective equipment. His plan also includes a plan to boost jobs to aid in economic recovery.

Congressional leaders say they hope to pass some COVID relief before the end of this year but Democrats have long insisted that they expect the economy will need further support in 2021. (NPR) 

 

Posted in: USA Tagged: 2020-37, birds of prey, division, dragon, eagle, election, Joe Biden, polarization, training, USA

Wednesday July 31, 2019

August 7, 2019 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday July 31, 2019

U.S. demand is threatening Canada’s drug supply, groups warn feds

Concern over U.S. legislation that allows Americans to import cheaper medicines from Canada has prompted more than a dozen organizations to urge the federal government to safeguard the Canadian drug supply.

June 13, 2019

In a letter this week, the 15 groups representing patients, health professionals, hospitals, and pharmacists warn Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor of the potential for increasing drug shortages.

“The Canadian medicine supply is not sufficient to support both Canadian and U.S. consumers,” the letter states. “The supply simply does not, and will not, exist within Canada to meet such demands.”

Faced with voter anger over the steep and rising costs of drugs in the U.S., several states — including Florida with the blessing of President Donald Trump — have passed laws allowing residents to import drugs from Canada.

In the letter to Petitpas Taylor, the groups say the legislation could exacerbate drug shortages that become an increasingly serious concern in the Canadian health care system in recent years.

“Hospital and community pharmacies in Canada are resourced to serve the Canadian public,” they say. “They are not equipped to support to the needs of a country 10 times its size without creating important access or quality issues.”

Petitpas Taylor did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The issue has recently garnered attention on both sides of the border. Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Democratic presidential candidate, has announced plans to accompany diabetics this weekend to Canada to buy life-saving insulin, which costs roughly one tenth the price here than in the United States. (CBC) 

 

Posted in: Canada, USA Tagged: 2019-27, animal, beaver, Bernie Sanders, Canada, diplomacy, drug supply, eagle, prescription drugs, Rx, USA

Thursday January 24, 2019

January 31, 2019 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday January 24, 2019

Canada’s ambassador to China says Meng has strong defence to fight extradition

Canada’s top diplomat in China says the Huawei executive arrested in Vancouver at the request of the United States has a strong case to fight extradition, a position that has prompted backlash from the Conservative opposition in Ottawa who say this sort of interference by an ambassador should not be tolerated by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

January 10, 2019

Meng Wanzhou, the 46-year-old chief financial officer of the telecom giant, has “quite good arguments on her side,” John McCallum said at a news conference with Canadian and state-owned Chinese-language media in Markham, Ont., on Tuesday.

“One, political involvement by comments from Donald Trump in her case. Two, there’s an extraterritorial aspect to her case, and three, there’s the issue of Iran sanctions which are involved in her case, and Canada does not sign on to these Iran sanctions. So I think she has some strong arguments that she can make before a judge,” he said in his opening remarks.

McCallum said a judge will ultimately make the decision on whether she should be extradited, and stressed there has been “zero involvement” by the federal government.

“It’s purely a judicial process. There may come a time when the justice minister is required to give a view, but that will not be for some months to come,” he said.

November 12, 2015

“I know this has angered China, but we have a system of extradition treaty, a system of rules of law, which are above the government. The government cannot change these things, and as I said, I think Ms. Meng has quite a strong case.”

Despite those assurances, the Liberal government to this point has not weighed in on the merits of the case or offered an opinion on the possible legal avenues her counsel could pursue in court.

In fact, before McCallum’s remarks Tuesday, the government had studiously avoided discussing the facts of the case in public. (Source: CBC) 

 

Posted in: Canada Tagged: 2019-03, beaver, Canada, China, diplomacy, eagle, extradition, John McCallum, Meng Wanzhou, statue, USA
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