Trump Is Promising A 25% Tariff On Canada and Mexico
Here we go!
Picture it: Day one of the new Trump administration in the United States. The first item on the agenda is a stiff 25% tax on all imported goods coming in from Canada and Mexico, with an additional 10% on top for all goods from China.
Shortly after this, he intends to start working on the mass deportation of 'illegal aliens' from within the United States. Of course, he won't stop with them, but that's where he wants to start.
For those who don't know what a tariff is or how it works, don't worry– I've got you covered. You can have a little Economics 101 as a treat.
Sam W.
Between the sudden increase in the cost of everything on the store shelves—tariffs won't reduce the cost of goods; they make the price tag go up—and the mass deportation of half of the U.S. agriculture and construction workers, we can expect the American economy to take a dive sooner rather than later.
In the lead-up to this announcement, Canada's politicians and experts have acted like this idea was just a bluff. We're one of their most significant trading partners, they said. Of course, he won't slap blanket tariffs on us; that'd just be stupid.
He's just planning to jumpstart negotiations from a place of strength, that's all!
Oh, yeah? Because he came at us with tariffs last time he was in office, which made just about as much sense. This is just another unhinged move from a malignant narcissist who's out to burn the world down because it hurt his fee-fees.
And that's what all of this comes down to. It's just part of his bid for revenge.
Trump feels like he has been wronged and persecuted, so he's going to punish every single one of his peers who stood by and didn't stop it. In his addled brain, that's every world leader and every member of the United States government.
Sadly, it's the average Joe Shmoe that'll catch the flak. We're looking at a potential Great Depression 2.0, and that's not hyperbole. Many of us will have to tighten our belts before too long.
If you enjoy my work and want to help support me, consider leaving a tip! You can choose how much you want to donate, and there's no need for a monthly subscription.
When the U.S. economy dives, so will ours here in Canada, and frankly, the entire world economy will have to reshuffle the board.
People will need to cooperate to survive and pull through in decent shape. Mutual aid is about to become our primary survival strategy.
With that in mind, there are some things you can do to prepare. Stocking up on any non-perishable goods you'll need would be best. Think shelf-stable canned and dry foods, medications that you can store, and a good supply of potable water.
You need much more food and water than most people think; a handful of each will not cut it. Any unused space in your closets should have some extra goodies stashed in them. If you have a spare room that isn't often used, stock it up.
Make sure you have plenty of batteries, a generator if you can afford one, and a well-thought-out first aid kit. The more self-sufficient you are, the better.
Here's a decent guide on building and keeping an emergency stockpile.
For that matter, you should brush up on old skills and learn new ones if possible. Pick up a book on gardening and read that thing from cover to cover during the winter. Learn about canning and preserving foods and saving seeds from year to year.
Learn how to do minor clothing repairs, sewing, hemming, etc. If you haven't already, learn the basics of cooking. Learn how to fix things around the house and in your car.
The skills you usually pay other people to do for you. Learn them. Do it yourself. Because those things still need to be done even if you can't afford to pay somebody to do them.
Even better, bartering will make a comeback if things get bad. Being able to trade your time and skills for a loaf of bread seems silly right now, but it won't later.
I've seen an older jeweller trade her skills for a moose roast. She resized and polished a ring, and in return, she was given enough food for several nights. Think about it; it's a good trade.
Imagine what you'll save if you learn how to fix a leaky pipe or make a run-down car work like new.
And while all this is going on, for goodness sake, save your money! Cut back on your recreational spending and add the extra cash to your savings account. Open a GIC or two, and keep them running for the future.
Do what I did and ensure you have at least a few hundred dollars in cash stashed away in a hidden location. It doesn't earn interest, but it's there if I'm in an emergency and can't access my bank account. I add to it regularly.
If all of this seems alarmist right now, I get you. But here's the thing: even if I'm wrong and nothing bad happens, will any of this hurt you? Will it be a tremendous burden on your life to learn a few handy skills, save money, and build an emergency stash of extra supplies?
Hell, it would help if you were doing that anyway. Natural disasters can be a bitch.
The bottom line is that this is one of those situations where we need to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
Solidarity wins.
If you want to add to your library, consider checking out the World-Weary Reading List. If you purchase a book through one of the affiliate links on this list, I will be paid a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Sam W
If you enjoy the Weary Missive, consider becoming a paid supporter! Keeping World-Weary going is hard work, and I'm incredibly grateful to all those who offer a few dollars a month to help me keep the lights on.
All paid subscribers gain access to Unfiltered, my bi-weekly podcast, where I let my hair down and let my rage flag fly about current events. Be prepared to hear me curse like a sailor.
If you want to help in another way, you could spread the word by sharing my posts on your social media and telling your friends about World-Weary. Word of mouth is the only way that this community grows.
Member discussion