Canada’s Newest Identity, Made in the USA

In Canada , unlike Australia , our economic livelihood is critically dependent on a much larger neighbour.

The anxieties arising from this state of dependence have coloured the Canadian national identity.

In the late Cold War period, Canada ’s intellectual class coped with its demeaning geopolitical status by embracing anti-Americanism .

Donald Trump announced sweeping 25 percent tariffs on every Canadian export product except oil and gas in February .

Those tariffs were subsequently paused, but for domestic political purposes, that didn’t matter, as Trudeau , and then Carney , were able to transition into full Captain Canada mode.

The Liberals also used Trump ’s threats as a marketing opportunity, presenting themselves as über- Canadian patriots.