Skating on thin ice

Today, asunder is exactly what is happening.

Growing up in Canada, I always understood that we are our own country, yet I couldn’t ignore the deep sense of connection we had with the United States. Whether I was in a hockey arena, at a gas station, or going to school, the Canadian flag waved high – often accompanied by none other than the Stars and Stripes. Our countries aren’t just allies; we are partners, friends, and comrades – essentially, family.

However, that bond feels as if it has been cast aside. Under the Trump administration, the U.S. has treated Canada not as a trusted ally, but as an expendable competitor. The unjustified trade war, the dismissive rhetoric, the condescending attitude – it feels less like a disagreement between partners and more like a betrayal by a brother we have stood beside for generations. Family isn’t about who is the biggest, strongest, or most successful. It’s about being there for each other when it matters, with everyone contributing what they can, no matter how big or how small.

This piece will delve into the historically significant partnership between Canada and the U.S., exploring three defining aspects – trade, military cooperation, and cultural ties. First, illustrating the depth and importance of each, before examining how recent U.S. policies and rhetoric, particularly under the Trump administration, have undermined them, causing a fracture in a relationship that once felt unbreakable.

Canada and the U.S. share the world’s most comprehensive trading relationship, with nearly USD $2.7 billion in goods and services crossing the border every day. In 2023, Canada ranked as the U.S.’s third-largest supplier of imports, bringing in a total of USD $421 billion, or 13.7% of total U.S. imports, while also being the top destination for U.S. exports: USD $353 billion or 17.5% – more than China, the UK, and Germany combined, despite Canada’s significantly smaller population. In short, we are each other’s largest trade partners, and this partnership supports millions of jobs on both sides of the border. Over decades, this economic partnership has fostered prosperity and collaboration, with both countries benefiting mutually from shared markets and trade opportunities. In a world dominated by international competition, our ties have been a symbol of successful collaboration.

However, the Trump administration’s initiation of trade war through the imposition of various tariffs on Canadian goods – along with similar measures targeting Mexico and China – marks a sharp departure from the deep-rooted partnership we have for so long shared. The White House has justified these tariffs as means to hold each country accountable for promises to curb illegal immigration and stop the movement of fentanyl into the U.S. Yet, logic and statistics demonstrate that Canada is not the source of these issues. For instance, illegal immigration from Canada to the U.S. is virtually nonexistent. Despite sharing the world’s longest undefended border, in 2020, U.S. authorities reported those with Canadian citizenship totaled a mere 1.5% of title 8 apprehensions in the U.S., which are those who unlawfully attempted or crossed the border. Moreover, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, from 2022 to 2024, seized 5,700 pounds of fentanyl at the southern border compared to just 59 pounds at the northern border. Furthermore, in December of 2024, Canada announced the implementation of a CAD $1.3 billion border plan, including generational investments in new AI and imaging tools to stop the flow of fentanyl in its tracks, stronger co-ordination and information sharing with American agencies, along with the deployment of drones, helicopters and additional personnel to keep our border secure and curb illegal immigration into the U.S. The numbers speak for themselves, yet Canada is being punished as if we are a major source of the problem.

Beyond immigration and drug trafficking, another justification for these tariffs is the perception that the U.S. is being taken advantage of in its trade relationships, prompting the need to protect domestic industries and address trade deficits. However, Canada’s trade relationship with the U.S. tells a very different story. In comparison to other major trade partners, Canada maintains a significantly smaller trade surplus with the U.S., benefiting American businesses and workers. Far from exploiting the U.S., Canada’s trade practices contribute to American prosperity – generating job opportunities, improving worker protections, and producing new investments.

All of this said, the timing of these tariffs is particularly damaging. Canada has been grappling with an economic crisis since COVID-19, and now, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation triggering a snap election, the country is in a state of political uncertainty. More than ever, Canada needs support from our closest allies and stability that fair trade provides. By focusing solely on their own interests, the U.S. has left Canada questioning whether the relationship we’ve long valued is truly as reciprocal as we once believed. As a Canadian, I see these tariffs not as a corrective measure for political and economic imbalances, but as part of a broader shift in U.S. trade policy – one that calls for individualism and superiority. The Trump administration has proven their willingness to leverage economic force to assert dominance and reshape global trade relationships in a way that favors the U.S. at any cost. For the Trump administration, if that means undermining their closest ally and exploiting adversity, then so be it.

Beyond economics, Canada and the U.S. share one of the closest and most historic defense relationships in the world. As the U.S. government itself has stated, “U.S. defense arrangements with Canada are more extensive than with any other country”. Canadians have always stood beside their American allies, fighting in wars and sacrificing lives to ensure North America’s security. Canada and the U.S. have fought shoulder-to-shoulder in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Gulf War, and the War in Afghanistan. Together, shaping some of history’s most pivotal moments. During WW II’s Battle of Normandy, Allied forces – including both American and Canadian soldiers – stormed the beaches of France, sacrificing many lives, leading to the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany’s control.

Even in conflicts where Canada did not officially engage in direct combat, we supported the U.S. For instance, during the Vietnam War, despite maintaining neutrality, Canada provided war materials, medical resources, and testing grounds for U.S. weaponry. Additionally, approximately 40,000 Canadians volunteered to serve alongside U.S. armed forces.

Beyond warfare, Canada and the U.S. are deeply interconnected through strategic defense alliances sharing intelligence, resources, and security measures that directly benefit both nations. As founding members, Canada and the U.S. have both been part of NATO for nearly 76 years – representing the only two member countries from the Americas. During this time, both our nations have exemplified loyalty to the alliance through active and responsive participation across various NATO operations, including the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in Afghanistan and the Operation Unified Protector in Libya. Additionally, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), established in 1958, serves as the world’s only binational military command, with the U.S. and Canada jointly responsible for aerospace warning, aerospace control, and maritime warning across North America. Through this defense partnership, Canada and the U.S. continue to work closely to enhance surveillance systems, air defense capabilities, military infrastructure, and research and innovation initiatives – solidifying continental security.

Despite this historic alliance, the Trump Administration has downplayed Canada’s military contributions, questioned our commitment to defense, and disrespected our sovereignty. Criticizing Canada’s overall defense spending, Trump has belittled our role in NATO and implied that we do not pull our weight. While Canada’s five-year average for defense spending is approximately 1.44% of GDP – below that of NATO’s recommended 2% – we remain the seventh-largest contributor and the Canadian government has committed to reaching the 2% target by 2032, with potential to meet it as early as 2027. Regarding NORAD, Canada pledged CAD $38.6 billion in June 2022 to modernize defense systems, focusing on strengthening detection systems, technology-enabled decision making, defense capabilities, infrastructure and support capabilities, and research, with a focus in the Arctic region. Additionally, Canada recently announced their commitment to purchasing an Over-the-Horizon-Radar system, known as JORN, valued at over USD $4.0 billion. This system will enhance the ability to monitor both sea and air across 37,000 square kilometers, with a detection range of up to 3,000 km. An additional investment of nearly CAD $420 million has been allocated to maintain a year-round Canadian Armed Forces presence in the Arctic. While Canada does not match U.S. defense spending, we are undoubtedly committed to our defense. Although smaller, our contributions have been strategic and significant, particularly in Arctic security and global peacekeeping – both priorities the Trump administration has emphasized.

Apart from questioning our military commitments, remarks suggesting Canada should be “purchased”, become the 51st state, or that we are a burden to the U.S. are not just offensive – they are profoundly disrespectful. They diminish the sacrifices of Canadian soldiers who fought and died alongside Americans, disregard the efforts of past U.S. presidents who built such a strong alliance, and insult not only Canadians but also the Americans who deeply value the brotherhood between our nations. Though our tangible contributions may differ, the loyalty and camaraderie Canada provides are invaluable and irreplaceable. History has shown that Canada has always stood alongside the U.S., ready to defend the sovereignty and freedom of both nations.

Notwithstanding our deep economic and defense ties, what resonates most between everyday Americans and Canadians is our cultural bond. We may live on opposite sides of an international border – each with distinct, deep-rooted differences – but the way we live, work, and play encompasses undeniable similarities. Our traditions reflect a shared identity: as children we both board a yellow school bus to be taken to school, embrace Halloween with extravagant decorations and trick-or-treating, and mark national pride with grand firework displays. Our interests are just as closely aligned, from a deep passion for hockey, football, and baseball to a love for road trips, national parks, and weekends at the lake. Hollywood, with both Canadian and American actors, dominates our entertainment, shaping our humor, pop culture, and even the way we speak. But perhaps the strongest proof of our cohesion is the sheer number of personal ties that cross our border. Nearly a million citizens from each country call the other home, with an estimated 400,000 daily border crossings. Our accents, infrastructure, and appearances are so alike, we are often mistaken for one another, a mistake we often make amongst ourselves. Yet, beneath these similarities, our differences are there; they may not be obvious at first, but they emerge in our perspectives, customs, and subtle ways of thinking. While economic and military cooperation have been fundamental to our relationship, it is our shared identity and cultural ties that reinforce our deep connection.

Some may question the depth of our relationship, while others might choose to dismiss it altogether – but history speaks for itself. Some of the most respected American presidents have affirmed the unique bond between our nations. As early as 1943, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared, “I have always felt at home in Canada, and you, I think, have always felt at home in the United States.” This sentiment has been carried on through the decades. In 1985, President Ronald Reagan reaffirmed it, stating, “We’re more than friends and neighbors and allies; we are kin.” Even in 2015, President Barack Obama echoed the same idea, asserting, “There are no closer friends that we have than the Canadians. And we share values, we share culture. The ties between our people are extraordinary.” Yet, that long-standing tradition – one of mutual admiration and unwavering respect – has been so suddenly disrupted.

President Donald Trump shattered this long-standing tradition, replacing goodwill with condescension and hostility. In stark contrast to past leaders who emphasized friendship, shared values, and common goals, Trump belittled and dismissed Canada on the world stage. From calling Canada “one of the nastiest countries to deal with” to openly mocking Canadian political leaders, his rhetoric has introduced an unprecedented level of friction into the relationship. The effects of this shift have been undeniable. Public opinion polls show that Canadian favorability toward the U.S. plummeted to historic lows under Trump’s presidency, with many Canadians expressing a newfound sense of detachment from their southern neighbors. Once considered “two branches of the same family tree”, as Reagan put it, the U.S. and Canada now feel more divided than ever – not by geography, but by rhetoric and perception. This deterioration extends beyond politics – it has deep cultural consequences. Where Americans and Canadians once saw each other as natural extensions of one another, there is now a growing sentiment of “us versus them”. The ease of interaction, the natural camaraderie, and the unspoken cultural bond that defined our relationship have been undermined by a leader who has chosen division over diplomacy.

My intention has not only been to call out the U.S. for its betrayal and injustice, but also to remind everyone of the strength of our kinship and the profound connection we share through the three key pillars that make up a nation. While the recent treatment of Canada by the U.S. has been unjustified, belittling, and arrogant, I do ask: do families not fight from time to time? And do they not eventually find a solution and emerge stronger? That is my hope for the future of Canada-U.S. relations.

Canada is learning a hard lesson of overdependency. However, as in any family, there comes a time when independence becomes necessary – but this is not the way it should happen. In a world experiencing an increase in international tensions, globalization and strong alliances are imperative.

Canada should not be mistaken as a weak country but an incredibly strong nation, perhaps not primarily for our military, but rather in terms of intelligence, natural resources, and kinship. With the world’s most educated population, the second-largest land mass, and reputation for exceptional kindness, we continue to shine on the global stage, undeterred by our relatively small population. We acknowledge and appreciate the unique partnership we share with the U.S., built on economic, military, and cultural ties. However, if the uncooperative and unjust treatment from the U.S. persists, Canada will no longer remain passive. We will act decisively, and the consequences will be deeply felt on both sides of the border until a solution is found. This shift toward division, and the potential trade war and mutual resentment that would follow, is not the outcome we seek. The future of our relationship depends on the choices we make today. Today, tomorrow, and the next, Canada will always choose unity and strength, for that is where we are each other’s best.