TARIFFS: Keep Calm, Take Action: BENN

“This is the flight deck. We are entering turbulence. Please return to your seats and buckle up.”

The message being that you and I are but passengers in this tariff spat. Instead of relying on the airliner crew, we must rely on our government(s) to get us to a safe landing. It might take a while. Oh, and keep your emotional responses to a minimum. They aren’t going to help the crew as it struggles with the turbulence, but the screaming and wailing are likely to upset those who are within earshot.

As individuals there are things we can do. Small and likely meaningless in their individual impact, but they might make us feel better. Remember, small numbers multiplied by really big numbers can make an impact. Sometimes. The key is to not over-react. The key is to not make decisions based on emotions.

The same advice applies to governments. Avoid reacting in anger, in disappointment, in a “we’ll show them” manner. You might think you are taking action, but too often it is just activity. Actions accomplish things. Activity just makes you appear busy. And this is not the time for appearing to be doing something. It is the time to act.

Governments need to present the calm of the proverbial duck. Above the surface, the duck is just floating on the stream. Below the surface the webbed feet are in constant motion, adjusting the course to the currents that are not seen from above.

Start by understanding why U.S. President Donald Trump is applying the tariffs. Trump cannot just apply tariffs by executive order. He needs to link his executive orders to some power reserved for the president, without the support of congress. In this case, Trump has conflated the apparent uncontrolled flow of undocumented migrants and fentanyl into the U.S. from Canada as a matter of national security.

Understand this is just a pretense for what Trump wants to accomplish. It starts with re-patriating industrial jobs that have moved out of the U.S. over the last several decades. By stimulating the economy, the theory – and a theory is all that it is – is that the rise in economic activity will generate sufficient tax revenue to fund an overall reduction in tax rates. Point out that this will likely take years and might never come to fruition.

Remember that the first casualty of war is the truth. And the truth is whatever someone says is the truth. Repeat it often enough and it becomes the truth. Use the power and reach of social media to convey the message. Remember, messages matter. The tone. The choice of words. Set and control the agenda.

First to Canada. We are just collateral damage in a game, and stress that term, being played by American elites. A different set than the ones they just replaced, but elites nevertheless.

Next to the rest of the world. Canada is just an early casualty in a game being played on a global scale.

Finally, to Americans. Do not limit the target to governments. Ensure that regular everyday Americans see the messages. Every day. Everywhere they look. But only after they start to feel the effects. After the layoffs, as the supply chain chokes off production. After the shortages on the shelves. After the higher cost of everyday goods, like groceries.

Be factual, not emotional. Do not cast aspersions on individuals or nations.

Finally, on the topic of the message. No lectures. People are weary of hearing lectures from those who present themselves as experts (irony noted).

The strategy is to let the anger boil up from the bottom up. Much of the collateral damage will be inflicted on the MAGA base. They just don’t know it yet.

Link the pain (lost jobs, mortgage foreclosures, higher grocery bills) to the cause – an abuse of presidential powers to see if an economic theory might work. A series of short, memorable phrases. Along the lines of “Lost your job? Thank Trumponomics.” “Trump – new elites, same as the old elites.”

Finally, before you retaliate, make sure you can handle the barrage of responses that will come your way.

Ontario’s decision to not purchase alcohol from the U.S. means that your favourite bourbon will not be available for the next while. You could substitute your favourite bourbon with the offerings from a Canadian distiller. A personal sacrifice for the greater good. Taking a shot, or not, for the team, so to speak.

However, before we turn off the flow of electricity to New York, Michigan and Minnesota, keep in mind that the oil and gas that flows into the Sarnia area petrochemical facilities arrives via Michigan. With the stroke of a presidential pen, Enbridge’s Line 5 can be shut down. If Sarnia loses its feedstock, then Sarnia loses its production. Which means that southwestern Ontario, including Toronto, will run out of natural gas to heat its homes and water tanks, to generate electricity. It will run out of fuel for its gas stations. It means that southwestern Ontario’s economy will come to a grinding halt. Can we withstand that type of body blow? Do we want to? And recognize that there is nothing preventing Trump from making this a pre-emptive move.

To close. These are turbulent times. Sit down, buckle up, control your emotions.

Ron Benn, a finance executive, has been a member of the Centrepointe Community Association for the better part of three decades.

For You:

Trump Fiddles As America Burns: GRAY

Things Could Get Slow At The Border: BLUESKY

The World Will Never Trust The U.S. Again: COYNE

Canadians Back Tough Response To Trump Tariffs: POLL

Use Bilingualism To Fight Trump: CRERAR

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