Canada Responds to Trump’s Tariffs: Letters to the Editor
The Situation: Canada and the European Union imposing retaliatory tariffs against the United States.
A decline in stock prices or a recession could swiftly spiral into a severe depression, reminiscent of the Smoot-Hawley tariffs imposed in 1930 during the Great Depression, which caused a 65% drop in global trade (“Canadian pol blinks first,” March 12).
Fortunately, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick appears to be putting in extra effort—perhaps even on an hourly basis—to communicate the reality of the economy to President Trump.
I appreciated Trump for advocating on behalf of overlooked blue-collar workers, small investors, and stay-at-home parents.
However, he is currently in a rampaging state, akin to Animal Mother in “Full Metal Jacket”—a soldier who disregards any authority except his own.
Spoiler alert: The consequences of reckless tariffs can be dire.
Such decisions can paralyze multiple economies and adversely affect the most vulnerable Americans—those who are barely making ends meet.
R.H. Bredin
Toronto, Canada
It’s astonishing that our neighbors in Canada are upset over tariffs on their goods while remaining oblivious to the favorable trade imbalance on their side.
Canadians are perfectly fine with imposing tariffs on U.S. products but are furious when the tables are turned.
If they truly consider us friends, shouldn’t they advocate for the elimination of tariffs on both sides?
Michael J. Felicetta
Lavallette, NJ
Trump seems oblivious to the detrimental effects of tariffs, underestimating the backlash he will face.
Sadly, all Americans will bear the brunt of this.
Lou Maione
Manhattan
As Trump’s tariff disputes escalate—and they undoubtedly will—let’s remember that Canada didn’t initiate this conflict.
When Americans encounter rising prices, there will be one person held accountable: Donald Trump.
Chris Robertson
Stony Plain, Canada
It seems Trump skipped the definition of “tariff,” perhaps unaware that it is the consumer who ultimately pays for these tariffs on imported goods (“Trump’s Irish up on E.U. tariffs,” March 13).
It’s not the nation that manufactures and exports goods to us that shoulders the cost: it’s us, the consumers! Meanwhile, he’s estranging our long-standing friends and allies, leaving us isolated.
Nicholas S. Molinari
Brick, NJ
The Situation: Elon Musk labeling Sen. Mark Kelly a ‘traitor’ after the senator’s visit to Ukraine.
Elon Musk accused Sen. Mark Kelly of treachery for his trip to Ukraine, supporting the nation’s struggle for survival (“Mark Kelly accuses Trump of ‘trying to weaken’ Ukraine, fires back at Elon Musk for branding him a ‘traitor,’ ” March 12).
The level of hypocrisy here is thick enough to require one of Musk’s chainsaws to slice through it.
Kelly, who honorably served 25 years in the Navy, participated in combat missions during the Gulf War, and piloted NASA space shuttles—while Musk was busy fathering as many children as possible with multiple women.
(For those keeping score: 14 kids, born to four mothers.)
Yet MAGA supporters are easily swayed by President Trump’s theatrics.
Standing with allies or being captured in conflict does not equate to betrayal.
That title might be better suited for Musk and his associates, who are the real allies of Russia.
Vin Morabito
Scranton, PA
Mark Kelly should be ashamed.
After spending four years in the Senate, he suddenly jets off to Ukraine, seemingly determined to derail President Trump’s peace efforts with Putin.
He ought to be focused on assisting his fellow astronauts stranded on the space station.
Instead, he’s preoccupied with engaging in spats with Elon Musk, who is providing Ukraine with communication capabilities through Starlink.
Kelly’s actions are out of line.
Kenneth Reinhard
Sheffield Lake, Ohio
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