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extortion

Thursday February 27, 2025

February 27, 2025 by Graeme MacKay
The U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal highlights concerns of economic exploitation and the lack of security guarantees as Ukraine faces Russian aggression.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday February 27, 2025

Posted to Politico Europe.

Extortion in the Guise of Diplomacy

Pierre Poilievre is meticulously preparing his populist platform as a diplomatic performance, positioning himself as Canada’s ideal emissary to align with Trump’s second reign while competing with Trudeau’s own courtly overtures.

December 5, 2024

In the annals of modern history, few nations have fought as valiantly for their sovereignty and democracy as Ukraine has in the face of an illegal and ruthless invasion by Vladimir Putin. As the world watches, Ukraine stands as a testament to the resilience of a nation besieged yet unyielding. However, in a disheartening twist of fate, the very country that Ukraine looked to for support—the United States—has engaged in a maneuver that reeks of extortion, exploiting Ukraine’s vulnerability for economic gain.

Under the leadership of President Donald Trump, the United States has shifted from a traditional ally to a transactional partner, placing a price tag on global security. The proposed minerals deal between the U.S. and Ukraine is emblematic of this shift, demanding Ukraine hand over a significant share of its mineral revenues in exchange for past military aid and vague promises of support. This approach transforms diplomacy into a mercantile transaction, undermining the principles of mutual respect and partnership.

News: U.S. and Ukraine Agree to Minerals Deal, Officials Say

June 15, 2022

Critics have rightly labeled this tactic as extortion. At a time when Ukraine desperately seeks security guarantees to fend off further Russian aggression, the U.S. has offered economic demands instead of concrete commitments. This power play has not gone unnoticed, with many viewing it as a neo-colonial expansion where economic interests overshadow ethical responsibilities.

The reader comments and reactions to this deal echo a collective outrage. There is a strong sense of betrayal and disappointment, as the world witnesses a nation that stood firm against tyranny being coerced into an unfavourable agreement. The absence of specific security guarantees further amplifies the perception that the U.S. is exploiting Ukraine’s plight rather than offering genuine support.

December 24, 2018

This scenario sets a dangerous precedent. If the world’s leading democracy can engage in such extortionist measures, leveraging its power to extract economic concessions from a war-torn nation, what message does this send to other countries? The fear is that this model of diplomacy—where security is bartered for profit—could be replicated elsewhere, including in regions like Canada, where strategic interests may one day be similarly exploited.

In this narrative, President Trump emerges not as a champion of global security but as a transactional leader, placing profit over principle. The notion of leveraging Ukraine’s mineral wealth for U.S. cooperation is seen as a shrewd yet ethically questionable move, one that prioritizes short-term gains over long-term alliances.

News: Ukraine outlines draft minerals deal with U.S., but touts no concrete security guarantees

The convergence of Elon Musk’s influence over U.S. elections, Donald Trump’s authoritarian ambitions, and Vladimir Putin’s geopolitical agenda feels eerily like the unfolding of a real-life James Bond thriller, with democracy and global security hanging in the balance.

October 26, 2024

As the world grapples with the implications of this deal, it is imperative to remember the cost of such transactional diplomacy. The fight for democracy and sovereignty should not be reduced to a mere financial transaction. Ukraine’s struggle and resilience deserve more than a price tag—they deserve unwavering support and solidarity from the international community.

The U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and moral dilemmas in international relations. It challenges us to reflect on the values we uphold and the kind of world we wish to build—a world where support for democracy is not contingent upon economic gain but rooted in shared principles and mutual respect.


Did Americans willingly vote to abandon being leader of the free world?

The U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal strikes me as economic extortion. While Ukraine seeks protection from Russia, the U.S. is demanding a significant chunk of its mineral wealth without offering any solid security guarantees. This feels more like a power play than genuine international support, with U.S. interests overshadowing true aid for Ukraine’s democracy. Under Trump, the U.S. has left a void in the world order, stepping away from its role as leader of the free world. For those of us who warned about Trump’s ways before his election last November, this is no surprise. Liberty, freedom, and the notion of a shining city on the hill no longer seem emblematic of the United States. Is this what Republicans voted for just three months ago? The world appears to be entering dark times.

Check out my making-of animated editorial cartoon for February 27, 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: International Tagged: 2025-04, aggression, colonial, diplomacy, Donald Trump, Economy, expansionism, exploitation, extortion, minerals, protection, Russia, security, sovereignty, transactional, Ukraine, United States, USA, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky

Wednesday March 7, 2018

March 6, 2018 by Graeme MacKay

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday March 7, 2018

Republicans confront Trump over steel tariffs, fearing trade war

In a remarkably public confrontation, U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan and other Republican allies of President Donald Trump pleaded with him Monday to back away from his threatened international tariffs, which they fear could spark a dangerous trade war.

March 3, 2018

Trump retorted: “We’re not backing down.”

The president said U.S. neighbours Canada and Mexico would not be spared from his plans for special import taxes on steel and aluminum, but he held out the possibility of later exempting the longstanding friends if they agree to better terms for the U.S. in talks aimed at revising the North American Free Trade Agreement.

“We’ve had a very bad deal with Mexico; we’ve had a very bad deal with Canada. It’s called NAFTA,” he declared.

October 11, 2017

Trump spoke shortly after a spokesperson for Ryan, a Trump ally, said the Republican leader was “extremely worried” that the proposed tariffs would set off a trade war and urged the White House “to not advance with this plan.”

Likewise, Republican leaders of the House ways and means committee circulated a letter opposing Trump’s plan, and Republican congressional leaders suggested they may attempt to prevent the tariffs if the president moves forward.

August 24, 2017

Trump’s pledge to implement tariffs of 25 per cent on steel imports and 10 per cent on aluminum imports has roiled financial markets, angered foreign allies and created unusual alliances for a president who blasted unfavourable trade deals during his 2016 campaign.

Union leaders and Democratic lawmakers from Rust Belt states have praised the planned tariffs, joining with advocates within the administration including Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and White House trade adviser Peter Navarro. (Source: CBC News) 

 

Posted in: Canada, International Tagged: Canada, diplomacy, Donald Trump, extortion, Mexico, NAFTA, steel, tariffs, Trade, USA

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This website contains satirical commentaries of current events going back several decades. Some readers may not share this sense of humour nor the opinions expressed by the artist. To understand editorial cartoons it is important to understand their effectiveness as a counterweight to power. It is presumed readers approach satire with a broad minded foundation and healthy knowledge of objective facts of the subjects depicted.

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