Tag Archives: Hong Kong

Mar 12 2025

China and Canada Continue Trade War


Posted originally on Mar 12, 2025 by Martin Armstrong 

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Effective March 20, 2025, China will place massive tariffs on Canadian goods. Aquatic products and pork will face a 25% tariff, while other items like rapeseed oil (canola), peas, and oil cakes will see a 100% tax. China is also implementing a 100% tariff on any imported electric vehicles and a 25%  tariff on Chinese aluminum and steel.

“Canada does not accept the premise of China’s investigation, nor its findings,” a statement from the Canadian government read. “China’s non-market policies and practices that artificially lower production costs and distort markets. Canada remains open to engaging in constructive dialogue with Chinese officials to address our respective trade concerns.”

Canada first slapped a 100% tariff on Chinese EVs in October 2024, as no one can compete with Chinese EV manufacturers. A few days later, Canada hit China with a 25% tariff on aluminum and steel. All of this happened around the same time that the European Union and the US also placed tariffs on Chinese goods as the West collectively felt that China had an unfair trade advantage due to cheap goods and labor, as well as government subsidies.

Canadian exports to China totaled $$31.1 billion in 2023, with exports from Canada coming in at $59.9 billion. Exports to China have increased by over 6% in the last five years. Gold, petroleum, and rapeseed are Canada’s main exports to China, while China primarily sends Canada cars, computers, and broadcasting equipment. Rapeseed is Canada’s second-largest acreage crop by acreage and China is the largest market for Canadian rapeseed.

The Canola Council of Canada believes canola seed oil and meal exports to China reached C$4.9 billion last year. Canola meal exports came in at 2 million metric tonnes, valued at C$920.9 million, while canola oil exports hit 15,351 metric tonnes with a C$20.6 million value. Pea exports to China reached C$303.6 million last year, fish and seafood came in at C$1.3 billion, and pork at C$486.6 million.

“With this announcement Canadian canola farmers are facing an unprecedented situation of trade uncertainty from our two largest export markets only weeks before planting begins,” says Rick White, Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA) President & CEO. “The impact of the federal government’s trade policy decisions is now playing out at the farmgate, making it imperative that government respond with a plan for financial compensation commensurate with the losses incurred.” Around 40,000 Canadian farmers work directly in the canola industry, generating C$43.7 billion annually.

There are various points of contention between the two nations. China recently warned Canada not to meddle in its One China policy after a Canadian frigate passed through the Taiwan Strait after a US military transit. China accused both China and the US of “deliberately causing disruptions and undermining peace and stability.”

BYD.ChinaEV

China launched an anti-discrimination investigation into tariffs on Chinese EVs. China argues that the West’s near ban on Chinese EVs violates fair trade principles established under the World Trade Organization (WTO). China feels it has been unfairly excluded from the EV market under the guise of protectionism. The truth is that China has cutting edge technology paired with the ability to produce affordable EVs. The West knows it cannot compete with Chinese EVs and have nearly banned them through tariffs, excluding China from the entire EV trade sector.

Canada denies discriminating against Chinese EVs and insists the tariffs were to address China’s “non-market policies and practices that artificially lower production costs and distort markets.” Where is the outrage? Mark Carney demanded that Donald Trump show “respect” amid escalating trade tensions. Canadians began boycotting American made goods. Will we see that same level of aggression toward Xi and China? Of course, Trump did offend Canada by claiming it could become a US state which perhaps angered the people more so than the actual tariffs.

Consumers and businesses always lose amid trade wars. The tariff game has become tit-for-tat, with nations continually “retaliating” despite the reality that these measures are hurting their own economies.

Mar 12 2025

Is Trump Defunding the VA?


Posted Mar 12, 2025 by Martin Armstrong 
VA Administration

Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins announced that his department saved $900 million after viewing a mere 2% of government contracts. There are unfounded fears that the Trump Administration will cut veteran benefits or health care. Instead, these measures will provide the government with more aid for our veterans by eliminating government waste.

The VA outsources most of its work to contractors, many of whom have been charging top dollar for their services. There are currently over 90,000 contracts in place through the VA worth over $67 billion. Instead of managing or reviewing the current contracts, the past administration continued to issue more. Terminating 585 contracts, a mere 1% of total active contracts, eliminated $900 million in waste that will be directed to American veterans. Secretary Collins noted that the canceled contracts were either duplicative agreements or non-mission-critical.

The department must still hire for over 300,000 mission-critical roles, but these positions will fulfill a direct purpose. “The days of kicking the can down the road and measuring VA’s progress by how much money it spends and how many people it employs, rather than how many veterans it helps, are over,” Collins said. The department will transition to a new electronic contract management system, and contracts will be evaluated more closely through a newly formed contract review board. Simply put, the VA has been overspending because it had no way to manage former contracts.

Veterans Affairs requires a massive amount of funding. The department set a budget of $369.3 billion for FY2025, a nearly a 10% increase from the year prior. The agency requires $134 billion in discretionary funding for health care, benefits, and cemeteries. They wish to inject another $253.3 billion into mandatory benefit program funding, and put another $191.1 billion toward compensation and pensions for 6.9 million veterans. The Cost of War Toxic Exposers Fund (TEF) alone requires $24.5 billion. Another $192.1 billion will go toward education and job training for 1.1 million veterans and qualified dependents.

It is paramount for America to take care of its veterans. Do not believe the lies told on legacy media programs that Trump wishes to defund the VA and take away benefits from our veterans. Auditing measures will have the opposite effect and enable the government to fund essential programs for our veterans rather than paying contractors for nonessential or unnecessary work.

Mar 12 2025

Canada & the 51st State


Posted originally on Mar 12, 2025 by Martin Armstrong 

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QUESTION: Hi Marty, Many in Canada seem to be taking President Donald Trump’s talk about making Canada the 51st US state seriously. We have Canadian leaders claiming it is a serious threat and part of a plan. “President Trump wants to put us into a state where we are much more weakened economically in order eventually to annex us,” was the comment from Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly.

This seems to be a distraction; as you say, they need war in Europe to distract from their economic decline. Trump has exposed what many of us Canadians did not know. First, the drug labs, and second, internally, as you said in your interview with Maxime Bernier, we have tariffs between provinces.

Can Trump annex Canada? That seems far-fetched.

RP

Part 51

ANSWER: Most people do not know, but Quebec wanted to separate and join the United States and even formed a Political Party called the 51st State. From an economic perspective, joining with the United States is clearly economically beneficial. I laid that out in the Canadian Report. This has been proposed back and forth since e the American Revolution. Provinces would not be allowed to put tariffs on each other. This is all very Marxist, protecting labor but at the price of lowering the standard of living. Others have pointed out that you have no right to vote for who leads your country under a Parliamentary system. Still, others have proposed ending that system and adopting the American system but remaining as Canada.

Look, from purely an economic and national defense perspective, such a merger makes sense. However, there is no way Trump could simply annex Canada. Moreover, I think the politicians there have too much to lose, and they will scream and yell to retain independence, no different than any such state or entity like NATO. If Trump was truly serious, then going public with that idea may have been a tactic to get the people against the politicians.

If there is a war between the US and Russia, the nukes would be coming over the top of the globe through Canada. That is why he wants Greenland because Tule has been the home of NORAD, which protects the top of the globe from a nuclear attack that would have to travel over Canada.

Canada has followed the Socialist agenda of imposing tariffs to protect jobs, which has dominated Europe and led to economic suppression in both countries. Perhaps the upside here is that Trump has exposed the internal tariffs and that policy in Canada that most Canadians were unaware of until this interesting banter.

Mar 12 2025

USAID Employees Told to Destroy Documents, Shred and Burn Everything


Posted originally on CTH on March 12, 2025 | Sundance

If USAID was the charitable wing of the U.S. State Dept., why would the remaining senior leadership be instructing all employees to urgently start destroying all records?   The answer is easy, the charity mission of USAID was a front for the real operational mission of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

USAID has always been a CIA operation within the U.S. State Department silo.  The documents they are now being told to shred and burn with urgency are the CIA operational details of how USAID manipulated foreign governments and CIA assets.  This is one big coverup operation.

WASHINGTON DC – A senior official at USAID instructed a number of the agency’s remaining staff to convene at the agency’s now-former headquarters in Washington on Tuesday for an “all day” group effort to destroy documents stored there, many of which contain sensitive information.

The materials earmarked for destruction include contents of the agency’s “classified safes and personnel documents” at the Ronald Reagan Building, said an email sent by USAID’s acting executive director, Erica Carr, and obtained by POLITICO.

“Shred as many documents first, and reserve the burn bags for when the shredder becomes unavailable or needs a break,” the email said. Carr instructed staff to label the burn bags with the words “SECRET” and “USAID/B/IO/” (agency shorthand for “bureau or independent office”) in dark Sharpie. The email didn’t provide any reason for the document destruction. (read more)

Average Americans are just now starting to get a glimpse of how the DC political system is factually a Potemkin village maintained as a front to give the illusion of democracy while the Intelligence Community controls the functional outcomes of government.

President Trump is like Toto from the Wizard of Oz, exposing the groups behind the DC curtain.  More and more people are getting alarmed as their preconceptions of American government are being challenged and destroyed before their eyes. Questions about how long this has been going on are commonplace.

The Intelligence Community has been in slowly increasing control of American government for decades.  The Patriot Act was simply booster fuel to complete the takeover.   The CIA now operates domestically, domestic clandestine operations inside America, and congress does absolutely nothing to try and stop it because they know the ‘six ways from sunday’ group are too dangerous to confront.

President Trump represents a threat to this system of intelligence control over government.

Mar 12 2025

Winning Bigly – President Trump Holds Impromptu Presser with Elon Musk at White House – POTUS Purchases a Tesla


Posted originally on CTH on March 12, 2025 | Sundance

Many of us well understand the value of “buycotts” where we purchase products and services that support the America-First objective.

The professional political left can only destroy things, tear down things, attack things; they have no capacity to build anything, to enhance anything, to promote and create beauty or value in the world around them.  That’s why leftists are always trying to tear down people, companies, groups and systems.  They have now targeted Elon Musk and Tesla.

President Trump steps in to promote Tesla, support Tesla, defend the interests of Elon Musk and his company from the hatred and animosity of the professional political left.  President Trump uses his light to keep the darkness of Musk’s enemies in retreat. It’s cool.  “When someone is a great patriot, they shouldn’t be hurt,” Trump said.

At a White House event to highlight President Trump purchasing a Tesla, our President takes questions from the assembled media pool on a lot of current issues.  WATCH:

I really appreciate how President Trump frames the next phases of the Ukraine-Russia ceasefire [28:34 video point], as “stopping death.”  You have to admire Trump’s ability to cut through the nonsense and just get to the BIG part.

President Trump frames the ceasefire as “stopping death.”  You either support stopping killing, stopping death, or you support extending killing, extending death.  Bold contrasts; light vs dark. Good vs Evil. Life vs Death.  No politician in our lifetime was ever able to pause the narrative mid-way and reset the conversation like Trump can do. It’s remarkable.

I will prompt that segment below.

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Mar 12 2025

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and NSA Mike Waltz Outline Ukraine Agreement to 30-day Ceasefire


Posted originally on CTH on March 12, 2025 | Sundance

Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz brief the media on an agreement with the Ukraine delegation for a ceasefire in the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

During their remarks both Secretary Rubio and Advisor Waltz reference a joint statement [SEE HERE] by both delegations.   The statement outlines the proposed terms for a 30-day ceasefire that will now be discussed by President Trump’s team with the Russian delegation and President Vladimir Putin.

Here’s the video of the Rubio/Waltz media availability and below I will post the joint statement for discussion. United States and Ukraine are calling for a 30-day ceasefire, subject to the acceptance of Russia. Secretary Marco Rubio also announced that the US would resume intelligence sharing with Ukraine “immediately.”

[BEGIN STATEMENT] – “Today in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia — under the gracious hospitality of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman — the United States and Ukraine took important steps toward restoring durable peace for Ukraine.

Representatives of both nations praised the bravery of the Ukrainian people in defense of their nation and agreed that now is the time to begin a process toward lasting peace.

The Ukrainian delegation reiterated the Ukrainian people’s strong gratitude to President Trump, the U.S. Congress, and the people of the United States for making possible meaningful progress toward peace.

Ukraine expressed readiness to accept the U.S. proposal to enact an immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire, which can be extended by mutual agreement of the parties, and which is subject to acceptance and concurrent implementation by the Russian Federation. The United States will communicate to Russia that Russian reciprocity is the key to achieving peace.

The United States will immediately lift the pause on intelligence sharing and resume security assistance to Ukraine.

The delegations also discussed the importance of humanitarian relief efforts as part of the peace process, particularly during the abovementioned ceasefire, including the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of civilian detainees, and the return of forcibly transferred Ukrainian children.

Both delegations agreed to name their negotiating teams and immediately begin negotiations toward an enduring peace that provides for Ukraine’s long-term security. The United States committed to discussing these specific proposals with representatives from Russia. The Ukrainian delegation reiterated that European partners shall be involved in the peace process.

Lastly, both countries’ presidents agreed to conclude as soon as possible a comprehensive agreement for developing Ukraine’s critical mineral resources to expand Ukraine’s economy and guarantee Ukraine’s long-term prosperity and security. [END STATEMENT]

The joint statement itself is diplomatically agreed, but as these things are reviewed, they do give some insight into the priorities of both sides.

We can see how “lifting the pause on intelligence sharing and resuming security assistance” to Ukraine was the priority of the Ukranian delegation.  We can see how a substantive commitment to peace was the priority of team USA.

The U.S, specifically anticipating Steve Witkoff likely traveling to Moscow, will take the message to Russian President Vladimir Putin and his representatives.  The Ukranian team will engage with their “European partners” for further advice and counsel.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is the key.  As remarkable as it seems, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz has the stronger neocon tendencies in this pairing.  Secretary Rubio is suspicious of motives and intentions, which is good.

Mar 12 2025

Tucker Carlson Interviews Col Douglas Macgregor on Escalating Geopolitical Events


Posted originally on CTH on March 11, 2025 | Sundance

Retired Col Douglas Macgregor sits down with Tucker Carlson for an extended conversation about current geopolitical events including, Ukraine, Russia, Israel, China and Mexican drug cartels.

Chapters:
0:00 The Ukrainian Drone Strike in Moscow
6:54 Why Is Ukraine Dragging Out This War?
13:11 Benjamin Netanyahu Wants War With Iran
17:27 Ukraine’s Black Market Arms Dealing
20:10 Why We Should Be More Worried About Mexico Than Russia or Iran
22:05 The Mexican Drug Cartel’s Javelin Missiles Systems
23:11 How Many Have Died in the Ukraine/Russia War?
27:59 Reacting to the Russian/Ukraine Proposed Ceasefire Deal
37:45 Can Europe Be Saved?
40:09 American Politicians on Cartel Payroll
50:43 Macgregor’s Advice to Trump
54:11 Should the US Strike a Mineral Deal With Ukraine?
1:03:19 The Future of Germany

Mar 12 2025

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt Holds a White House Press Briefing – 1:00pm ET Livestream


Posted originally on CTH on March 11, 2025 | Sundance

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt holds a press briefing, amid a day full of geopolitical news on several fronts. The anticipated start time is 1:00pm ET.  Livestream Links Below:

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Mar 12 2025

In Response to Canadian Decision to Tax U.S. Electricity Consumers, President Trump Raises Tariff on Canada to 50 Percent and Pledges to Destroy Canadian Auto Industry


Posted originally on CTH on March 11, 2025 | Sundance

Pledging never to relent and to destroy President Trump, Ontario Premier Doug Ford placed a 25% tariff on all electricity delivered to the United States. After announcing the tariff Ford said, “It needs to end. Until these tariffs are off the table, until the threat of tariffs is gone for good, Ontario will not relent,” Ford said.

President Trump has found out about the Ontario tariff and has responded, big time:

[Source]

President Trump made the following announcement:

“Based on Ontario, Canada, placing a 25% Tariff on “Electricity” coming into the United States, I have instructed my Secretary of Commerce to add an ADDITIONAL 25% Tariff, to 50%, on all STEEL and ALUMINUM COMING INTO THE UNITED STATES FROM CANADA, ONE OF THE HIGHEST TARIFFING NATIONS ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. This will go into effect TOMORROW MORNING, March 12th.

Also, Canada must immediately drop their Anti-American Farmer Tariff of 250% to 390% on various U.S. dairy products, which has long been considered outrageous.  

I will shortly be declaring a National Emergency on Electricity within the threatened area. This will allow the U.S to quickly do what has to be done to alleviate this abusive threat from Canada. If other egregious, long time Tariffs are not likewise dropped by Canada, I will substantially increase, on April 2nd, the Tariffs on Cars coming into the U.S. which will, essentially, permanently shut down the automobile manufacturing business in Canada. Those cars can easily be made in the USA!

Also, Canada pays very little for National Security, relying on the United States for military protection. We are subsidizing Canada to the tune of more than 200 Billion Dollars a year. WHY??? This cannot continue.

The only thing that makes sense is for Canada to become our cherished Fifty First State. This would make all Tariffs, and everything else, totally disappear. Canadians’ taxes will be very substantially reduced, they will be more secure, militarily and otherwise, than ever before, there would no longer be a Northern Border problem, and the greatest and most powerful nation in the World will be bigger, better and stronger than ever — And Canada will be a big part of that.

The artificial line of separation drawn many years ago will finally disappear, and we will have the safest and most beautiful Nation anywhere in the World — And your brilliant anthem, “O Canada,” will continue to play, but now representing a GREAT and POWERFUL STATE within the greatest Nation that the World has ever seen! (more)

As previously noted, President Trump has a massive amount of economic leverage he can bring to bear on Canada from multiple simultaneous sectors, including autos, banking and finance.

Canada has a very small number of economic responses that can be triggered against the USA; however, some of their initial retaliatory effort is not tariffs but rather full-blown Canadian import bans of certain US products.

Minnesota Power bought only about $300,000 worth of electricity from Ontario last year, and only for four months out of the year. The utility serves over 150,000 customers, mostly with power it generates itself in Minnesota. 

Matt Helms, public information of officer for the Michigan Public Service Commission, said the impact on Michigan customers is likely to be “small” and most of Michigan’s electricity is produced by utility companies in the state or through long-term contracts. (source)

Mar 11 2025

Cleo Paskal Predicts The CCP Are Preparing For A Strike On Hawaii


Posted originally on Rumble By Bannon’s War Room on: Mar 10, 2025, at 7:00 pm EST