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We all knew that if Donald Trump got reelected, things would get chaotic pretty fast. But what I don’t think anyone anticipated was just how much Canada would be in the new administration’s cross-hairs.

And there’s been one question no one really seems to be able to give a definitive answer to — why us?

During the election campaign, Trump would rant and rave about Mexico and China and even Europe, but Canada barely ever came up.

And now, all of a sudden, we’re being targeted for more aggressive tariffs than China. And Trump is threatening us with annexation on a weekly basis.

Frankly, I haven’t heard many good explanations as to what the hell is actually going on. The best theory I’ve come across is from journalist Justin Ling.

He says that the best way to understand the current administration’s obsession with Canada is to look at one man — Peter Navarro. Navarro serves as Trump’s senior counselor for trade and manufacturing and has the direct ear of the president.

And according to Ling, he has it in for Canada.

Featured in this episode: Justin Ling

To learn more

“Beggar Thy Neighbor, Beggar Thyself” by Justin Ling in Bug-eyed and Shameless

“Canada Tries to Break the Ice with Trump” by Justin Ling in Foreign Policy

“Want Free Trade? May I Introduce You to the Tariff” by Robert Lighthizer in The New York Times

“Trump’s plan for ‘hemispheric control’: Steve Bannon on why tariffs may only be the start” by Ashleigh Stewart in Global News

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