Canadian Foreign Policy & Affairs II

[Truenorth00]

Originally Posted by YOWetal

His base is not the pro security part of the Republican Party.

His base is massively obsessed with the idea what the US is being taken advantage of. What do you think they'll say about the idea of giving concessions to Canada while it is open flaunting expectations set by the Americans?

[Truenorth00]

Originally Posted by 1overcosc

The honesty in this is kind of refreshing, not gonna lie. I'm not sure how valuable a commitment to hit 2% is when there's no plan on where the money is going to come from. It used to be the case that politicians were expected to show where the money is coming from for their promises. Maybe we'll finally get back to that.

The current government said everything you're saying here, about defence spending and were lambasted for it.

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by Truenorth00

His base is massively obsessed with the idea what the US is being taken advantage of. What do you think they'll say about the idea of giving concessions to Canada while it is open flaunting expectations set by the Americans?

What concessions to Canada? When CUSMA is renegotiated he will play hardball regardless. There is zero difference our defence spending will make to that. A lot of history shows the US gives you zero credit for what you do elsewhere. We will take a beating at NATO but that's an area we don't have any asks. We are helping out in Latvia and have no asks of our own. Unlike Spain who wants help on the Southern border or Belgium that has NATO HQ what exactly is the defence threat against Canada?

I guess PP will probbaly make some bold promises after 2028 that will attempt to placate them so we will never find out.

[casper]

Originally Posted by YOWetal

It's not about nice words as I said there are real concession that are much cheaper than defence spending which is largely symbolic for Trump anyway.

Dairy, Big Tech taxes, Medical Patnents. But the real carrot is joining him in active support for a trade war with China and potentially others.

His base is not the pro security part of the Republican Party.

The assumption is any of that matters to Trump. It does not. Trump is all about optics and photo ops and other world leading saying good things about him.

Look at Ukraine. Trumps demand was that they open up an investigation and prosecute the family of his political opponent. That is what we would be dealing with.

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by casper

The assumption is any of that matters to Trump. It does not. Trump is all about optics and photo ops and other world leading saying good things about him.

Look at Ukraine. Trumps demand was that they open up an investigation and prosecute the family of his political opponent. That is what we would be dealing with.

He's made it pretty clear that he would try to force Ukraine to settle the conflict, at the cost of territory. He may succeed, but I doubt he'll be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

[ssiguy]

Heard on the news today that Trudeau is meeting with Ebby in BC to offer 75% of the funding for a 20km underwater tunnel connecting Vancouver {Delta} & Victoria {Saanich} which would result in about $17 billion from Ottawa and the project could be completed in as little as 8 years.

If you haven't heard about the potential agreement between Ottawa and Victoria, that's because there isn't one...........I'm lying. I figure, however, that if Trudeau can make such pronouncements about bringing defense spending up to 2% in 8 years with no intention of doing it and with absolutely no plan on how we would pay for it, then why can't I? Next up, that Metro system Joliet has been pleading decades for to be up and running in, you guessed it, 8 years.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by ssiguy

Heard on the news today that Trudeau is meeting with Ebby in BC to offer 75% of the funding for a 20km underwater tunnel connecting Vancouver {Delta} & Victoria {Saanich} which would result in about $17 billion from Ottawa and the project could be completed in as little as 8 years.

If you haven't heard about the potential agreement between Ottawa and Victoria, that's because there isn't one...........I'm lying. I figure, however, that if Trudeau can make such pronouncements about bringing defense spending up to 2% in 8 years with no intention of doing it and with absolutely no plan on how we would pay for it, then why can't I? Next up, that Metro system Joliet has been pleading decades for to be up and running in, you guessed it, 8 years.

He's called David Eby.

At least you know what you'll get if the Conservatives win the election.

"Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he won't commit to meeting the two per cent NATO defence spending target if he becomes prime minister."

[Truenorth00]

It is an interesting take to argue that Canada will be more respected by cutting foreign aid, not meeting NATO spending targets, cutting diplomats. Those choices are fine, if that's what Canadians want. But why lie that this will somehow mean Canada will have more influence?

[acottawa]

Originally Posted by Truenorth00

It is an interesting take to argue that Canada will be more respected by cutting foreign aid, not meeting NATO spending targets, cutting diplomats. Those choices are fine, if that's what Canadians want. But why lie that this will somehow mean Canada will have more influence?

Is he arguing Canada will have more influence?

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by Truenorth00

It is an interesting take to argue that Canada will be more respected by cutting foreign aid, not meeting NATO spending targets, cutting diplomats. Those choices are fine, if that's what Canadians want. But why lie that this will somehow mean Canada will have more influence?

It will have more influence in some circles. Giving money to "Global South" dictatorships hasn't got us much respect so far. Frankly neither did dying in Afghanistan. Cutting all that along with Climate change initiatives instead of our pensions and child benefits is exactly what a lot of Canadians want. Frankly a lot of Americans and Europeans too but there politicians don't listen to them until they vote for populist extremists.

[Truenorth00]

Originally Posted by acottawa

Is he arguing Canada will have more influence?

That's the insinuation when he goes on and on about how Canada is getting embarrassed and how Trudeau is getting treated like a pinata at the meeting. What does he think the reaction would be if he showed up with even less of a generous policy?

https://globalnews.ca/news/10619936/...spending-nato/

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by Truenorth00

That's the insinuation when he goes on and on about how Canada is getting embarrassed and how Trudeau is getting treated like a pinata at the meeting. What does he think the reaction would be if he showed up with even less of a generous policy?

https://globalnews.ca/news/10619936/...spending-nato/

Mostly you're right but sometimes people respect honesty and being told no rather than constant suck up posturing. If he makes it clear he won't give in to pressure most of it will stop. Belgium and Spain are mostly seen as lost causes. Germany under constant pressure as they debate what they should do.

[acottawa]

Originally Posted by Truenorth00

That's the insinuation when he goes on and on about how Canada is getting embarrassed and how Trudeau is getting treated like a pinata at the meeting. What does he think the reaction would be if he showed up with even less of a generous policy?

https://globalnews.ca/news/10619936/...spending-nato/

I think part of what hurt Trudeau is the bullshit and the preaching. It is possible he thinks that similar or fewer resources with less bullshit and preaching will be taken more seriously.

[MonctonRad]

Well, fuck.............

[JakeLRS]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Well, fuck.............

We were millimeters away from civil war. If Trump was severely injured or killed, America would be in absolutely screwed.

Now, liberal leaders need to trend carefully how they respond to this. Surely it’s not hard for Trudeau to say political violence isn’t okay… right??

You would also think the Biden team would have said something by now but almost an hour and nothing.

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by JakeLRS

We were millimeters away from civil war. If Trump was severely injured or killed, America would be in absolutely screwed.

Now, liberal leaders need to trend carefully how they respond to this. Surely it’s not hard for Trudeau to say political violence isn’t okay… right??

You would also think the Biden team would have said something by now but almost an hour and nothing.

"They" perhaps. Not "We".

[casper]

Originally Posted by JakeLRS

We were millimeters away from civil war. If Trump was severely injured or killed, America would be in absolutely screwed.

Now, liberal leaders need to trend carefully how they respond to this. Surely it’s not hard for Trudeau to say political violence isn’t okay… right??

You would also think the Biden team would have said something by now but almost an hour and nothing.

I think it is likely that Trudeau's office will have some announcement expressing concern and hope that Trump recovers quickly. Generally Canadian leaders don't publicly endorse campaigns in other democratic countries.

CNN is reporting the democratic leader in the house and senate as well as the local governor have expressed outrage and concern for Trump's safety. The same will likely come from the white house in due course.

CNN is reporting one person is dead in addition to the shooter.

[dreambrother808]

Dem leaders always condemn political violence. It’s Trump and his minions who cheer it on, unless you live in some alternate reality.

[1overcosc]

Originally Posted by dreambrother808

Dem leaders always condemn political violence. It’s Trump and his minions who cheer it on, unless you live in some alternate reality.

Democrats certainly not, but there is plenty of political violence potential in the far left.

[1overcosc]

Originally Posted by Truenorth00

The current government said everything you're saying here, about defence spending and were lambasted for it.

Is Trudeau's announcement going to really change any opinions, though? Still seems like it's not clear where th money is coming from or how the CAF will spend it. I don't think Washington or London or Brussels are really going to see much meaningful difference between the LPC and the CPC at this time.