Tag Archives: Canada

Mar 25 2026

Put this in the USMCA (CUSMA) elimination/negotiation file.  Europe has already been the visible example of what happens when you open your market to low price Chinese EVs.


With the recent agreement by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Chinese auto manufacturers are now rushing to establish the dealerships, before the Beijing-Canada deal becomes an issue in the USMCA negotiation.

China is NOT going into Canada because they foresee a great market of Snow Mexicans purchasing their low price EVs.  They are going into Canada as a proactive measure to establish a North American footprint with an eye toward the USA.

(VIA MSM) – BYD and Chery are accelerating plans to establish a dealership network in Canada after the country introduced a quota allowing tens of thousands of Chinese-made EVs to enter at reduced tariffs. The rollout will begin in Toronto before expanding to other major cities, with BYD targeting about 20 dealerships in its first year. This marks a significant new front in North American EV competition, as Chinese automakers seek growth outside the U.S., where prohibitive tariffs keep them out.

Canada’s updated trade policy allows 24,500 Chinese-made EVs annually at a reduced 6.1% duty, giving BYD and Chery a rare North American entry point. This follows China’s surge to become the world’s top vehicle exporter, with similar pushes into Mexico, Europe, and Latin America. The quota’s scale is modest but strategically valuable for testing market response and building brand awareness.

The companies will launch in Toronto before moving into Vancouver, Montreal, and Calgary. BYD aims for around 20 dealerships in its first year, using consultants and internal teams to secure prime sites. While the network could strengthen visibility in key urban markets, experts warn the quota’s limited volume may test the viability of multiple outlets.

With U.S. tariffs exceeding 100% effectively barring entry, Canada offers Chinese automakers a platform to establish presence, gauge consumer interest, and potentially influence future trade talks. Similar strategies have been used in Europe, where Chinese EV makers have gained ground despite strong local competition. Success in Canada could pave the way for local assembly or increased quotas. (read more)

Mar 24 2026

USDA Rural Announces a $115+ Million Investment to Expand USA Sawmills and Timber Development


Posted originally on CTH on March 23, 2026 | Sundance

This is one of those small stories that carries the potential for significant domestic economic gains.

As many are aware, the U.S. imports a lot of softwood lumber from Canada. Combined with the energy products the lumber sector represents the top two U.S. imports from Canada.  With Venezuela now potentially positioned to replace the former, USDA Rural Development now stimulates domestic lumber development potentially positioned to replace the latter.

Taken as a whole, these two approaches significantly weaken the Canadian leverage that could be deployed in a Free Trade Agreement negotiation.  Assuming, of course, the USMCA is dissolved in favor of two bilateral FTAs.

USDA Press Release – At the Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Conference today, U.S. Department of Agriculture Administrator for the Rural Business and Cooperative Service J.R. Claeys announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture is guaranteeing $115.2 million across eight states through the Timber Production Expansion Guaranteed Loan Program (TPEP) to ensure sawmills and other wood processing facilities have the necessary funding to establish, reopen, expand, or improve their operations.

Today’s announcement includes recipients in the states of California, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Oklahoma, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

These investments represent a commitment by the Trump Administration to expand American timber production by 25%, reduce wildfire risk, and save American lives and communities by strengthening domestic wood processing capacity.

“We cannot allow wildfires to devastate and destroy our rural communities,” said Administrator Claeys. “That’s why the USDA is taking bold action to stop the destruction of our forestlands by investing in sawmills and wood processing facilities that support sustainable timber harvesting. These actions strengthen local businesses, support rural prosperity, and create jobs for hardworking Americans.” (source)

This is not to say that expanded U.S. sawmill production would completely eliminate Canadian softwood lumber imports. However, it does create inventory and a stronger domestic supply chain that would diminish any applied leverage that Canadian trade negotiators would seek to deploy.

Without pipelines flowing East or West, Canada is stuck pumping their heavy oil south for processing.  Nothing about that is likely to change in the next few years, even if Canada abandoned their climate change policy (highly unlikely).

Then comes the cross-border auto manufacturing industry, and the realization that -sans USMCA- both U.S. and Japanese automakers are likely to stick with the manufacturing center where their greatest customer base exists, the USA.

Now overlay softwood lumber, and you can see the top three economic dependencies of the U.S and Canada are slowly being uncoupled, simultaneous with the trilateral USMCA provisions being reviewed starting with the U.S. and Mexico having direct conversations.

We keep watching.

Mar 16 2026

Canada Quietly Turns Back to Nuclear as Net Zero Collides With Reality


Posted originally on Mar 16, 2026 by Martin Armstrong |  

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For years, politicians across the Western world have insisted that windmills and solar panels would power the future while reliable energy sources were dismantled in the name of climate policy. Now reality is beginning to intrude. Canada is preparing to unveil a national electricity strategy centered on expanding nuclear power as governments confront a basic problem they ignored for years — electricity demand is rising far faster than their green policies ever anticipated.

Artificial intelligence, data centers, and electrification mandates are dramatically increasing power demand across North America. At the same time, governments closed coal plants, restricted natural gas, and stalled nuclear projects for ideological reasons. The result has been rising electricity prices and growing concern about long-term energy security.

Canada is now quietly acknowledging what engineers and economists have been saying for years. Nuclear powerremains one of the few reliable baseload energy sources capable of supporting a modern industrial economy. Several new reactors are already planned or under construction, and the government’s upcoming strategy is expected to accelerate those projects.

Canada is building a new generation of nuclear reactors known as small modular reactors (SMRs). The most important project is the Darlington New Nuclear Project in Ontario. Ontario Power Generation has begun construction of the first BWRX-300 small modular reactor at the Darlington site, with the reactor expected to come online around 2029–2030.

The Darlington project is significant because it is expected to become the first grid-scale SMR operating in a G7 country. The government has approved a full fleet of four SMRs at the site, which together could produce about 1,200 megawatts of electricity — enough to power roughly 1.2 million homes. Each reactor is a GE Hitachi BWRX-300 design that produces around 300 megawatts of power and is smaller and less complex than traditional nuclear plants, which is intended to reduce construction costs and speed up deployment.

At the same time, Canada is completing major refurbishment projects on existing nuclear plants such as the Darlington Nuclear Generating Station. This refurbishment extends the facility’s life for decades, preserves thousands of jobs, and continues to produce reliable baseload electricity.

Beyond individual projects, the Canadian government is preparing to release a national electricity and nuclear strategy to accelerate nuclear development and provide investors with clearer policy direction as electricity demand rises sharply.

This shift exposes the contradiction that has defined Western energy policy. Governments attempted to restructure entire energy systems based on political narratives rather than economic reality. Now they are discovering that the industrial world cannot function without stable, large-scale electricity generation. The return to nuclear is less about environmental policy and more about economic survival.

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I will be speaking in Vancouver on March 31 at the 2026 World Outlook Conference. The discussion will be tailored to the Canadian investor, as it is paramount to understand what is on the horizon. The next few years will be volatile to say the least, and the best we can do is to prepare for what is to come. I have refrained from sharing the full scope of the glaring Turning Points and Panic Cycles flashing on Socrates, but I am prepared to give attendees the full story.

Mar 16 2026

Canadian Prime Minister Boasts About Blocking 10,000 IRGC Members from Entering Country


Posted originally on CTH on March 15, 2026 | Sundance 

In the midst of the two pontificating princesses of Parliament verbally slapping each other with cashmere sweaters, Prime Minister Mark Carney made a rather remarkable statement.

According to the Canadian Prime Minister, he has blocked ten thousand IRGC members from entering Canada {at 1:00 minute of video below}. Now, why would 10,000 Iranian Revolutionary Guards think it was a solid option to exit the conflict for safety in Canada? WATCH:

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Mar 16 2026

Canadian Prime Minister Boasts About Blocking 10,000 IRGC Members from Entering Country


Posted originally on CTH on March 15, 2026 | Sundance 

In the midst of the two pontificating princesses of Parliament verbally slapping each other with cashmere sweaters, Prime Minister Mark Carney made a rather remarkable statement.

According to the Canadian Prime Minister, he has blocked ten thousand IRGC members from entering Canada {at 1:00 minute of video below}. Now, why would 10,000 Iranian Revolutionary Guards think it was a solid option to exit the conflict for safety in Canada? WATCH:

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Mar 15 2026

Iranian Regime Clerics Flee to Safe Harbor of Canada?


Posted originally on CTH on March 14, 2026 | Sundance 

This is quite a remarkable development.  Someone in the Toronto airport captured video of Iranian Cleric Hojjatoleslam Morteza Tayebi arriving in Canada yesterday [Video Here].  As the story is told, apparently 700+ members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who carry out regime terrorism, reside or have dual citizenship in Canada. [HERE]

“The individual observed in the Pearson Toronto Airport videos, carrying a suitcase while dressed in clerical attire, is Hojatoleslam Morteza Taieb.  According to some reports, he holds residency or citizenship in Canada and travels between Iran and this country.” {Source}

Canadian Member of Parliament Melissa Lantsman has been trying to draw attention to the issue for several years, claiming the IRGC is carrying out domestic terrorism in Canada while supporting the activity of the Iranian government.

Melissa Lantsman, “the government knows there are IRGC agents here in Canada. They know these terrorists perpetuate violence, terrify our citizens, and do the work of the mullahs in our own streets. But the government lets them stay in Canada.  Why?

Great question. Additionally, if Iranian Mullahs and Clerics are part of a fanatical war against the U.S. then wouldn’t their ability to seek safe harbor in Canada represent a threat to the United States?

That said, the IRGC members living in Canada in combination with dual citizenship for Mullahs and Clerics certainly explains the soft response from Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Mar 13 2026

Democrat Senator Ruben Gallego Urges President Trump to Renegotiate USMCA


Posted originally on CTH on March 12, 2026 | Sundance

It is transparently obvious now that Canada is going to rely on UniParty (Corporate) opposition to President Trump in the dissolution of the USMCA (CUSMA) in favor of two distinctly different bilateral trade agreements; one with Canada and one with Mexico.

A bilateral trade negotiation between the United States and Canada would be devastating to the interests of the Canadian government.  Particularly after the Venezuela operation and new strategic relationship with the United States, Canada has almost zero points of leverage to negotiate anything similar to their current exploitative trade position.

Canada is going to rely on congress to stop Trump from forcing reciprocity in the bilateral discussions. However, as a positive indicator that President Trump will factually have congressional support for the elimination of the USMCA, Democrat Senator Ruben Gallego has written a letter to President Trump requesting a comprehensive review. [LETTER HERE]

[SOURCE]

This is a key Senate democrat who notes the problem.  One of Gallego’s top points of concern is the loophole that Canada uses to assemble Chinese component parts into finished goods for tariff free distribution into the United States.

Ever since President Trump won the 2024 election, Mexico has been taking proactive independent action to block Chinese component goods. But Canada has done the opposite and begun to enhance their trade relationship with China to take even more Chinese component and finished goods.

Gallego writes to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer from the position of wanting to increase wages and enhance jobs in both Mexico and the USA, growing both economies. However, Gallego’s advocacy simultaneously bolsters why the USMCA should be dissolved and also puts Canada at a distinct disadvantage.

MEXICO – Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum told reporters during her morning news briefing on Wednesday that her U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, is open to doing away with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement (USMCA) and replace it with individual trade deals with each country.

[…] “There might be revisions that create bilateral deals instead of involving the three countries because some things are more important between Mexico and the United Sates or between Canada and the United States,” said Sheinbaum. “Not everything has to be trilateral.”

Mexico’s president said the subject was brought up by Trump during a Tuesday phone conversation. […] According to Sheinbaum, her country is ready to consider possible changes. (read more)

Just like the original NAFTA dissolution, if Senate democrats agree the USMCA is structurally flawed then Canada will lose its only hope to retain the trilateral agreement.

It appears that some Senate democrats like Gallego recognize this issue and support the need for exceptional change.

There is a significant difference between Mexico and Canada as it pertains to trade.  Two distinctly different bilateral trade agreements would be the best outcome for the USA.

Team Mexico have already been holding bilateral discussions with USTR Jamieson Greer, and I suspect the broad outlines of a free trade agreement between the U.S and Mexico have already been agreed.

While Mexico has been working diligently for 16 months to get into alignment with the USA on a new free trade agreement, Canada has been doing everything possible to retain their “elbows up” position in opposition to the USA.  This will not work out well for Canada.

“The key thing that has struck me, and I think it has struck all Canadians, is so many of these guys in the Trump administration, frankly, they just hate Canada,” said Brian Clow, former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s deputy chief of staff who led Canada-U.S. affairs. {source}

“Canada joining at a later date”? 😂🤣😂

Mar 9 2026

Canada and Europe Strengthen Trade Ties as Global Economy Fragments


Posted originally on Mar 9, 2026 by Martin Armstrong |  

EU-Canada relations

Canada and the European Union agreed to modernize their existing trade agreement while launching negotiations for a new digital trade pact. On the surface, this appears to be another routine trade update between two long-standing partners. In reality, it reflects a much deeper shift underway in the global economy as nations begin quietly restructuring trade relationships in response to rising geopolitical tension and economic uncertainty.

The agreement expands cooperation under the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, the free-trade pact originally signed between Canada and the European Union in 2016. That deal already removed roughly 98% of tariffs between the two economies and significantly expanded market access for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic. Now both governments are attempting to update the framework to address new issues such as digital commerce, cross-border data flows, and cybersecurity rules as global trade increasingly moves online.

What makes the timing particularly interesting is the strategic motivation behind the move. Canadian officials have openly stated that they want to reduce dependence on the United States. At present, nearly 70% of Canadian exports still go to the US, leaving the Canadian economy highly exposed to shifts in American policy. Europe, facing its own economic decline, is also seeking to diversify trade.

The modernization of the agreement also includes new mechanisms for resolving investment disputes and simplifying regulatory barriers that can make cross-border trade more complicated than tariffs themselves. Negotiators are also launching talks on Canada’s first digital trade agreement with the European Union, which will set rules governing electronic transactions, data transfers, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and digital services.

Governments around the world are attempting to build regulatory frameworks around digital infrastructure, financial technology, and online communication under the banner of security and consumer protection. I have often warned that once governments gain centralized authority over financial and digital systems, the potential for broader control over economic activity and information flow increases. What begins as a framework to facilitate digital commerce can easily evolve into a system where regulators exert increasing influence over how information and financial activity move across borders.

What we are witnessing is the gradual fragmentation of the global economy into competing regional alliances. For decades, politicians promoted the concept of a fully globalized trading system. But as geopolitical tensions rise and governments increasingly weaponize trade policy, nations are beginning to look for partners they consider politically reliable rather than simply economically efficient.

Mar 9 2026

Mexico and USA Begin Bilateral Preparations to Dissolve USMCA Without Canada


Posted originally on CTH on March 8, 2026 | Sundance

One of the most curious aspects to the predictable USMCA review, ie. dissolution, has been the incapacity of the Canadian government or trade delegation to accept the United States is going to create two distinctly different bilateral trade agreements and eliminate the trilateral USMCA.

For 16 months the Canadians have refused to fathom the reality of what is going to happen this year.

The Canadians just cannot believe it is possible they will be forced to negotiate a free trade agreement without the cover of a multilateral construct. It has been remarkable to watch their dissonance.

Last week President Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum held a phone call. At the conclusion of the call, Sheinbaum publicly asserted the reality the Canadians just refuse to accept.

MEXICO – Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum told reporters during her morning news briefing on Wednesday that her U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, is open to doing away with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement (USMCA) and replace it with individual trade deals with each country.

[…] “There might be revisions that create bilateral deals instead of involving the three countries because some things are more important between Mexico and the United Sates or between Canada and the United States,” said Sheinbaum. “Not everything has to be trilateral.”

Mexico’s president said the subject was brought up by Trump during a Tuesday phone conversation. […] According to Sheinbaum, her country is ready to consider possible changes. (read more)

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney finally started to realize President Trump was likely to ignore Canada and begin direct discussions with Sheinbaum. So, Carney went to Mexico to try and get assurances from Sheinbaum that Mexico would not proceed without Canadian interests in mind.

Essentially, Carney wanted Sheinbaum to be on his team.  However, as diplomatically noted in the phone call with President Trump, President Sheinbaum politely rejected the Canadian partnership. [Insert Trump’s position toward Mexican cartels as an overriding thought]

The Canadians have been talking to U.S. media looking for sympathetic ‘Orange man bad’ coverage.  However, within the contacts between Canadian government officials and U.S. corporate allies, the sentiment from team Trump is very clear:

“The key thing that has struck me, and I think it has struck all Canadians, is so many of these guys in the Trump administration, frankly, they just hate Canada,” said Brian Clow, former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s deputy chief of staff who led Canada-U.S. affairs. {source}

It’s not hatred, it’s annoyance.

Years of compounding parasitic annoyances and sanctimonious, ‘holier-than-thou’ pontifications from the arrogant and uppity Canadian government.

The only time Canada has been honest with themselves and with President Trump was when Justin Trudeau was exiting office and admitted Canada cannot function without all of the one-way benefits it receives from the USA {GO DEEP}.

That’s it. That’s the only time Canada has ever been honest about the nature of the economic relationship.  A time when Trudeau had already quit and would not be around to deal with the consequences.  However, the level of Canadian arrogance is not only visible to President Trump, even the Japanese can see it.

Remember that very close relationship between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and President Trump.  That professional, personal and respectful relationship is going to become strategically important this year.

Japan’s economic and trade representatives have told the Canadians that if the USMCA is dissolved, and if Canada no longer has the same trade access current available in the trilateral format, then Japan would rethink its entire investment portfolio in Canada, specifically the auto sector.

In essence, specifically as it pertains to the auto industry, Japan is saying if the USMCA is gone, Japan may pull all their cross-border manufacturing out of Canada and transfer it to the United States.

Prime Minister Mark Carney was recently questioned about the statements from Japan and he waxed nonsensically [SEE HERE] about how Canada would use Chinese BYD electric autos to replace lost Toyota manufacturing.

It’s a hot mess for Canada and getting worse.

Last Friday, Canada’s worst nightmare began unfolding:

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Mexican Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard announced the first round of bilateral discussions in preparation for the Joint Review of the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA).

The ministers instructed negotiators to begin a scoping discussion on the necessary measures to ensure the benefits of the Agreement accrue primarily to the parties, including by reducing dependence on imports from outside the region, strengthening rules of origin, and enhancing the security of North American supply chains.

Ministers expect negotiators to hold the first meeting the week of March 16 and meet regularly thereafter as part of the Joint Review. [LINK]

Right there, you can see the exact same thing that took place in early 2017, when President Trump began organizing a bilateral trade discussion with Mexico only, in advance of his preferred approach to dissolve NAFTA and use two distinctly different bilateral trade agreements to replace it.  USTR Robert Lighthizer was working with Mexico only.

USTR Jamieson Greer, the studious protege’ of Lighthizer, now has the task of organizing the USA and Mexico while delaying any substantive contact/discussions with Canada until President Trump is ready to drop the hammer.

I can assuredly say President Trump wants everything outlined and in place for a U.S-Mexico deal before he announces the dissolution (joint review withdrawal) to end the USMCA.

There is little to no chance President Trump wants to renew a trilateral trade agreement that allows Canada to keep exploiting their market access to the U.S. without accepting reciprocity.

Remember, Canada’s main export is energy, and Trump has diminished that leverage through the Venezuela operation. Perhaps another ‘ah-ha’ moment for deep weed walkers.  Yes, in addition to giving China a body blow, taking control of Venezuela oil and minerals also weakens the leverage position of Mark Carney.  Can you see it now?

Canada has one key card they can leverage, congress.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is counting on the UniParty in Washington DC to stand in his corner against President Donald Trump and block any attempt to end the USMCA.  However, this is not going to be a surprise to President Trump, because Justin Trudeau did the same thing in 2018 when he coordinated his approach toward NAFTA through then Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi.

As I have said with great eagerness, it is going to be a lot of fun to watch this unfold.

Feb 24 2026

Joyful Video of President Trump Inviting USA Gold Medal Hockey Teams to State of Union Address


Posted originally on CTH on February 23, 2026 | Sundance 

The video of President Trump’s locker room phone call with the USA men’s hockey team is pure American.  The joy and spirit of the moment captured in the voice of President Trump and the cheerful celebration of the world’s greatest hockey team.  Lots of good stuff.

FBI Director Kash Patel was in the locker room holding the phone.

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