Tag Archives: Economy

Jan 25 2026

President Trump Threatens to Hit Canada with 100% Tariff if they Become a Transshipping Hub for Chinese Imports


Posted originally on CTH on January 24, 2026 | Sundance 

Canada signing a trade agreement with China to permit the import of EVs is another escalation in the exploitation of the USMCA compact.

For the position of China, using Canada as a route to ship component goods into the United States is just a slight expansion of their current technique to avoid U.S. tariffs.  However, President Trump is taking action immediately.

Noting on his Truth Social platform, President Trump announced that if Canada does effectively go through with allowing the import of Chinese electric vehicles, then the U.S. will impose a 100% countervailing duty against all Canadian imports.

[SOURCE]

“[…] As a part of the deal, Canada will ease the tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles that it imposed in tandem with the U.S. in 2024. In exchange, China will lower retaliatory tariffs on key Canadian agricultural products.” ~Politico

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney continues giving President Trump the ammunition to dissolve the USMCA trade agreement this year.

USTR Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick have both expressed anticipation of a new bilateral trade agreement to stop all this Canadian nonsense.

Jan 24 2026

Secretary Lutnick Gently Dispatches the Feelings of Canada and the EU, and Focuses on Pragmatic Economic Growth


Posted originally on CTH on January 23, 2026 | Sundance

Hilarious Bloomberg interview with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.  The topics are European trade and politics combined with the overlay of Canadian trade and politics.  The Bloomberg panelists question Lutnick about the similar “feelings” of the Europeans and Canadians, as it pertains to the outcome of trade discussions.  It’s the feelings that make things difficult to negotiate.

Secretary Lutnick doesn’t dismiss the narrative but deconstructs the substance of the topic brilliantly.  Lutnick notes the ridiculous nature of the Canadian trade position and their decision to go running to China because their feelings are hurt.  Lutnick then affirms the USMCA is going to be dissolved mid-summer and fall of this year.

As we noted at the end of last year, splitting the USMCA into two bilateral trade deals, one for Mexico and one for Canada, will be one of the most interesting and long-term economically significant moves in U.S. trade history.  It is going to be a lot of fun to watch these negotiations, and the pre-positioning gives us a preview of what is to come.

Mexico is doing everything almost perfectly in preparation for their bilateral deal.  Canada is doing exactly the opposite and positioning themselves for the worst possible outcome of a deal with the USA.  The disparity in approaches is so different, even now it is remarkable to watch. PROMPTED:

(VIA BLOOMBERG) – […] Canada has “the second-best deal in the world” with its access to the US market, Lutnick said, behind only Mexico. The Commerce chief also indicated that Canada’s tilt toward China could become an issue in talks over revamping the US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement known as USMCA.

If Ottawa opts to import Chinese electric vehicles and other trade-strengthening steps with Beijing, “do you think the president of the United States is going to say you should keep having the second-best deal in the world” during USMCA talks, Lutnick questioned.

[…] Canada’s Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne told reporters in Quebec City that every Group of Seven nation is charting its own strategic path forward with China, and Canada is no different. 

“We’ll continue to work hand in hand with our US partner,” he said. “At the same time, I think Canadians have understood by now that diversification is key. We need to be more resilient.” 

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum said separately Thursday that her nation will work to maintain the USMCA trade deal despite recent disputes between Carney and US President Donald Trump. Speaking at her daily press briefing, she also said she would try to talk with Carney.

Next week, Mexico’s Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard will travel to Washington for trade talks, Sheinbaum also said, speaking in Puebla, Mexico. (read full article)

Having travelled to regions of the world in discussions with people who factually determine economic outcomes, it is clear that every single policy shift undertaken by the Canadian government of Mark Carney is exactly the opposite of what is needed.  In the next 24 months, the lifestyle of every Canadian will forever change.

President Trump is reestablishing an entirely new economic, trade and finance system. The era of the Marshal Plan is over; it has been factually deconstructed in the past 12 months.

Canadians and Europeans are desperately trying to offset the ramifications, hold on to their economic benefits and find a new mechanism to afford the domestic indulgences now eliminated by President Trump and the absence of money.

The EU and Canada have chased ‘climate change’ and ‘green energy’ schemes into a dead end of economic crisis. German Chancellor Merz has admitted the problem to the world.  The direct and collateral damage is generational, and only just now beginning to surface.

When combined with their intransigent resistance to adapt to President Trump’s global economic and trade reset, core issue “reciprocity”, this reality takes both economies down a path that becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Choosing to embrace China in lieu of modifying bilateral trade agreements with the USA is a short-sighted fool’s errand. Unfortunately, with political calculations each entity, Canada and/or the EU collective, are pandering to their “feeling” base out of an unwillingness to change trade behavior as demanded by Trump.

From Ottawa to London, to Paris, Berlin and Brussels the geopolitical landscape is changing permanently as President Donald Trump resets their global trade relationship to the United States.

President Trump is leveraging the largest consumer market in the world to the benefit of the customer; that’s America.  Trump’s direct and specific intent is transactional, to rebuild an industrial and self-sufficient nation that is the envy of the world.

For several generations, Canada and the EU have exploited their biggest customer and taken the U.S. for granted. Both the EU and Canadian economies are stalled and soon to be shrinking.  The USA economy will easily grow above 5% GDP and Mexico is likely to be the biggest beneficiary of their proactive positioning.

It’s not about ‘feelings’ it is just the cold reality of the economics.

Jan 23 2026

President Trump Discusses Greenland and Davos Debrief with Maria Bartiromo


Posted originally on CTH on January 22, 2026 | Sundance 

President Trump gave an extensive interview to Maria Bartiromo just before he left Davos.  The primary questions surrounded the announced deal between the Trump administration and NATO over the U.S. security request for Greenland.

President Trump said the NATO/Denmark security deal for Greenland gives the United States unlimited and exclusive use the country to build bases and systems for the North American defense dome.  President Trump also talked about the U.S. trade relationship with Europe and the friction points that still have to be addressed.  WATCH:

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Jan 22 2026

President Trump Delivers Highly Anticipated Speech at Davos Assembly – 8:30am ET Livestreams


Posted originally on CTH on January 21, 2026 | Sundance 

After a brief return to the U.S. due to unexpected electrical issues aboard Airforce One, President Trump is now on the ground in Davos, Switzerland and about to make his speech to the international assembly gathered at the World Economic Forum 2026.

According to the schedule President Trump is expected to make his remarks at 8:30am Eastern Time. There are multiple livestreams below from domestic and international news outlets. The entire western world is watching to see what happens next.

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Jan 22 2026

World Economic Forum Thanks President Trump for Stopping their Pretending


Posted originally on CTH on January 21, 2026 | Sundance

Yes, at the introduction to President Trump the business assembly of WEF leadership they actually thanked Trump and said President Trump has forced the assembly to stop pretending.  It must be the art of the deal, folks.

Following the introduction President Trump told the assembly of business leaders there was no need to repeat his prepared remarks and instead spoke off-the-cuff, giving thanks and praise to the audience specific to his intents and purposes.  During his impromptu remarks President Trump highlighted leadership in the audience and drew attention to their organizations and business interests. WATCH:

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Jan 22 2026

President Trump Participates in a Bilateral Discussion with Switzerland President Guy Parmelin


Posted originally on CTH on January 21, 2026 | Sundance

President Donald Trump participates in a bilateral discussion with President Guy Parmelin of Switzerland, the host nation of Davos and the World Economic Forum assembly.

President Parmelin said, “Davos is not the same without you,” to wit President Trump said, “I agree.”  President Parmelin then said he was working to correct the trade imbalance and Howard Lutnick and Jamison Greer then informed the assembled press pool the pharmaceutical production coming to the USA will correct the issue. lol WATCH:

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Jan 21 2026

Ahead of Trump’s Arrival to Davos, Secretary Bessent Holds a Press Conference


Posted originally on CTH on January 21, 2026 | Sundance 

A large U.S. delegation, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio are traveling with President Trump tonight to Davos.  Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and all of the key members of the cabinet are already there.

According to the official WEF schedule, President Donald Trump’s address is in the mid‑afternoon Wednesday January 21, with the Davos session set for 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. local time (8:30 to 9:15 a.m. ET).

The entire world will be watching this speech considering the geopolitical events of the past year, the current trajectory of global relationships that has been scrambled by President Trump, and anticipation of this moment being the inflection point in Western political history.

On the tech side, all of the information bots under the control of Canada, the U.K, Australia and the global intelligence apparatus will be turned on to control and shape internet opinion of President Trump’s speech.  The need for control is a reaction to fear. Do not discount the stakes at play; this is beyond the trillions – this is everything.  For the opposition to President Trump this is a zero-sum conflict.

Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent held a press conference earlier today to absorb and address some of the key questions from the international media assembly (SEE BELOW).  Combined with feedback from Secretary Lutnick and USTR Greer, the speech content is being finalized on the flight between President Trump and Secretary Rubio.

Trump’s Davos schedule, via the White House. Depart DC Tuesday evening

Wednesday in Davos:
2:10 PM – 8:10 am ET – Greets WEF leadership
2:30 PM – 8:30 am ET – Delivers his Davos speech
3:45 PM – 9:45 am ET – Bilats and meetings
5:25 PM – 11:25 am ET – Business reception

Thursday
10:30 AM – 4:30 am ET – Board of Peace Charter Announcement

Then back home.

Jan 21 2026

Howard Lutnick: “Globalism Has Failed”…


Posted originally on CTH on January 20, 2026 | Sundance 

And so, it begins.  The fully engaged Trump MAGAnomic team begin their outlines to the World Economic Forum in Davos with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and the top line announcement, “Globalism has failed the United States of America.”

Appearing on an economic panel with various pontificating economic ministers of the elitist class, Secretary Lutnick begins to confront the panel and the audience with the big picture objective of the Trump administration.  Using real world examples, current citations highlighting the behavior of the assembled political representatives, Lutnick begins to tell them exactly what the reason are for President Trump’s policy.

Why would the EU destroy it’s own energy policy?  “Why would Europe agree to be ‘net-zero’ in 2030, when they don’t make a battery,” he asked.  Thus, the pragmatic realism of policy intersects with the hypocritical action and creates an outcome that no one can explain.  “So, if they go 2030, they are intentionally deciding to be subservient to China who makes the batteries,” he continued.  This makes absolutely no sense.

And he didn’t stop there.  WATCH:

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Jan 18 2026

President Trump Announces New Tariffs Against “EU Leadership” Nations Attempting to Interfere in North American Strategic Defense and Greenland Negotiations


Posted originally on CTH on January 17, 2026 | Sundance

President Trump has announced a new tariff regime against Germany, the UK, Germany, France, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, The Netherlands and Finland. The two-stage tariffs are in response to European leadership undermining U.S. strategic security discussions with Greenland.

PRESIDENT TRUMP – “We have subsidized Denmark, and all of the Countries of the European Union, and others, for many years by not charging them Tariffs, or any other forms of remuneration. Now, after Centuries, it is time for Denmark to give back — World Peace is at stake! China and Russia want Greenland, and there is not a thing that Denmark can do about it. They currently have two dogsleds as protection, one added recently.

Only the United States of America, under PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP, can play in this game, and very successfully, at that! Nobody will touch this sacred piece of Land, especially since the National Security of the United States, and the World at large, is at stake.

On top of everything else, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland have journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown. This is a very dangerous situation for the Safety, Security, and Survival of our Planet. These Countries, who are playing this very dangerous game, have put a level of risk in play that is not tenable or sustainable.”

“Therefore, it is imperative that, in order to protect Global Peace and Security, strong measures be taken so that this potentially perilous situation end quickly, and without question. Starting on February 1st, 2026, all of the above-mentioned Countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland), will be charged a 10% Tariff on any and all goods sent to the United States of America.

On June 1st, 2026, the Tariff will be increased to 25%. This Tariff will be due and payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland. The United States has been trying to do this transaction for over 150 years. Many Presidents have tried, and for good reason, but Denmark has always refused. Now, because of The Golden Dome, and Modern-Day Weapons Systems, both Offensive and Defensive, the need to ACQUIRE is especially important.

Hundreds of Billions of Dollars are currently being spent on Security Programs having to do with “The Dome,” including for the possible protection of Canada, and this very brilliant, but highly complex system can only work at its maximum potential and efficiency, because of angles, metes, and bounds, if this Land is included in it.

The United States of America is immediately open to negotiation with Denmark and/or any of these Countries that have put so much at risk, despite all that we have done for them, including maximum protection, over so many decades. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

DONALD J. TRUMP
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

My message to those who worry about President Trump committing us to something protracted that will eventually end in our being pulled into a European theater of conflict vis-a-vis Ukraine, is to quit worrying.

Trump is telling the EU to quit talking and start actively being responsible for their own security.  In the background Trump has bigger plans.

Hans Mahncke has a solid take on the bigger picture:

“The notion that America wants Greenland for its raw materials is either insanely ignorant or just engagement bait. Extracting anything in the Arctic is prohibitively expensive, and often physically impossible, with extreme cold, thick ice, equipment that won’t function, and no roads, rail or ports to move anything once you have it.

The real reason America needs Greenland is its immense geostrategic military value, which should be obvious to anyone with a functioning brain, especially anyone who has ever looked at a map from above, with the North Pole at the center.

Sure, some tasks could be outsourced to NATO, but that alliance is on its last legs, burdened by too many countries with conflicting priorities, and has mainly served as a way for Europe to freeload on US security guarantees. Relying on it for American national security is reckless. It’s far smarter to cut out the endless middlemen and take direct control.” (source)

Mahncke is correct. On one side of the ice, you have North America. On the other side of the ice you have, well, the reason for President Trump to order dozens of icebreakers.

The position of Denmark and Greenland is pathetic. Denmark demands the USA protect the “territories of their kingdom” (their words) including Greenland, which they admit they “cannot do without the USA military.” However, they outright reject the notion the United States should gain something, anything, for providing that protection.

As also noted by Jim Ferguson: “Ursula von der Leyen just went on camera and declared that Greenland “belongs to Denmark and NATO” — directly rebuking President Trump.

Let’s translate that. This isn’t about the Greenlandic people. This is about Brussels panicking because Trump is exposing the Arctic power game.

Greenland controls:

• the northern missile corridor
• Arctic shipping lanes
• and the gateway to North America

That makes it one of the most important strategic territories on Earth.

And Trump said the quiet part out loud: If the U.S. doesn’t secure it, China or Russia will.

Von der Leyen’s response wasn’t to protect the West, it was to protect EU control.

She wrapped it in pretty words about “NATO unity” — but what she really meant was: Brussels gets a veto over American security.

That’s what this is about.

Trump isn’t breaking the alliance. he’s breaking the illusion that unelected EU bureaucrats get to decide the future of the Arctic.

Greenland is not a Brussels bargaining chip; it is the northern shield of the United States, and for the first time in decades, America has a president willing to say it.

Ursula doesn’t hate Trump because he’s reckless, she hates him because he won’t let Europe freeload on American security while selling the future to Beijing.”

October, 2025: Finland is slightly smaller than Montana and wedged between Sweden and Russia. Finland, a nation of approximately 5 million people, has a security outlook shaped by its geography, a strategic position within the new NATO/Arctic strategy.

President Trump holds a bilateral discussion with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, as the two leaders’ complete terms for eleven icebreaker ships valued at $6.1 billion. Under terms of the deal, three of the ships will be built by Davie in Galveston, Texas, and four by Bollinger Shipyards in Houma, Louisiana.

Finland is the world leader in icebreaker ship building and will help teach U.S. ship building companies the latest advances in the technology. [SOURCE]

Stay Elevated:

December, 2025: Appearing on Fox News to discuss the Ukraine v Russia conflict, Finland President Alexander Stubb is questioned about the conflicting U.S. intelligence reports pushed by Reuters saying Russia will invade Europe, versus DNI Tulsi Gabbard saying Russia has no capability or intent to invade Europe.

President Stubb notes his agencies work closely with U.S. intelligence and in his view, Tulsi Gabbard is correct regarding President Vladimir Putin’s intention. [SOURCE]

President Trump is dancing through a geopolitical minefield, deconstructing numerous long-standing manipulative institutions along the way, while simultaneously keeping 100 domestic agenda plates spinning on sticks.

It is amazing to watch his navigation skills.  Smile and enjoy this.

Jan 17 2026

German Chancellor Merz Admits Shutting Down Nuclear Energy Production Was a “Severe Strategic Mistake”


Posted originally on CTH on January 16, 2026 | Sundance |

Germany has a severe electricity shortage and cost problem, and it’s getting worse.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz recently made the admission that shutting down the German nuclear power reactors was a “severe strategic mistake.”

“To have acceptable market prices for energy production again, we would have to permanently subsidize energy prices from the federal budget,” Merz said, adding: “We can’t do this in the long run.”

“So, we are now undertaking the most expensive energy transition in the entire world,” Merz said with pronounced frustration. “I know of no other country that makes things so expensive and difficult as Germany.”

Keep in mind, Germany represents the largest contributing economy in the European Union.  The German industrial sector is the backbone of the European economic model.

All of these realities paint a very tenuous picture for the economic future in Europe, when combined with a new trade relationship with the USA, increasingly cheap goods dumped into the EU by China and the EU promising to continue spending on the war effort in Ukraine against Russia.