‘What do you think about Trump imposing 25% tariffs across the board including 10% on energy and then giving us a thirty-day grace period in return for a fentanyl Tsar and untold millions to beef up the border security?’ I asked Camp when he sat down. He seemed weary and somewhat off. ‘Are you alright?’ I asked.

‘Yeah, I’m ok but I am worried about anybody in business in Canada that exports and imports across the US border and there are millions of people dependent on our integrated trade that has been a boon for both countries for decades. To answer to your question is quite simple. Trump hates Canada, our way of life, our healthcare system our liberal views, the fact that we have a better primary education system, that we have all the water and oil, the minerals and the landmass, including the gateway to the arctic. As he said after his election. If he can’t annex Canada, he will destroy us by economic means. He’s a misanthrope, a hater of humanity and a bully.’

‘Do you really think a trade war is possible? It would be the consumers on both sides of the border that would pay for it. There would be no winners.’

‘This trade war threat is certainly the worst kind of betrayal of a longstanding partner and friendship. It’s a flagrant and mean-spirited breach of trust and will set the tone for any future collaboration with the US. With one stroke of his golden pen, we are now the enemy, treated worse than any other country, except maybe the other neighbour, Mexico. Why us? I don’t get it,’ I said. 

‘As I pointed out, Trump hates us and everything we stand for and he has imperialist ambitions, right out of Putin’s playbook. What I don’t understand is the deafening silence from the people and the other elected officials; from Congress and the Governors of the States adjacent and integrated with their Canadian counterparts.’

‘This will poison cross border relationships for years to come and it will not make anybody better off.’

‘What about all this talk about fentanyl and migrants crossing into the US from Canada?’ I said. ‘Isn’t it their job to stop drugs and illegals entering their country?’

‘In the first 10 months of 2024, the U.S. Border Patrol intercepted more then 21’000 illegal migrants crossing from Canada into the US, illustrating that Canada does, in fact, have a border security problem. Also, in 2024, more than 21’000 pounds (10’000 kilos)  of fentanyl was apprehended at US borders but only 49 pounds, less then 1%, were actually intercepted coming from the Canadian border. Still, according to the RCMP, Canada is a significant producer and exporter of fentanyl but nowhere near as big or as large as Mexico. I’m just trying to figure out how all this chaos will impact my book store. That’s why I’m off my game today. Makes me want to retire.’

‘I don’t blame you Camp. Fact is that it’s now a broken relationship and no matter what happens next, millions of Canadians will steer clear of US products, including myself, and will not go south if we can avoid it.’

‘I’m afraid that there will be many businesses closing and many more people losing their livelihoods. It is a disaster and it will impact everyone and everything, from the stock market to the grocery story, from the liquor store to the pub from the loggers to the fishers.’

‘I want to quote Pete Martin’s editorial in the Vancouver Sun on Tuesday: So, goodbye America, it’s been nice knowing you, but I don’t know you anymore. I’ve reached that point in our relationship where any admiration I have had for you has been replaced by a new, angry resolve, which is: I won’t consort with the enemy.’

‘It’s worse than Covid.’ 

‘What’s worse than Covid?’ Vicky asked on her way past.

‘The Trump tariffs,’ Camp said.

‘I’ve heard about that. We’re not selling any American beers or spirits any more. No more Coors or Johnny Walker, no more Jim Beam, Bacardi or Jack Daniels.’

‘We’ll stick to the local brew,’ I said.

‘How about a Coast Lager?’

‘Works for us’, we both said in stereo.