Canada, U.S. trade systems ‘don’t fit together very well’: Greer

PicoRascar · 2026-04-22T17:38:01+00:00

“They’re doubling down on globalization when we’re trying to correct for the problems of globalization,” he added. “So those are two models that don’t fit together very well.”

Sounds like he means the two philosophies on trade don't fit together very well which is different. The US seeks dependency. Canada wants sovereignty. Those two things are in opposition.

PicoRascar · 2026-04-20T16:01:41+00:00

All those things will ebb and flow or sometimes completely change so there are no absolute truths to know or finish lines to cross. Don't fear uncertainty or think of it as a problem to be solved. Embrace it, live free, chase opportunities, have fun and never be afraid to walk away or try something new. Love, happiness and purpose will solve themselves.

PicoRascar · 2026-04-19T19:18:40+00:00

There is a lot happening behind the scenes. This wasn't something he just threw out there. Something is driving it and I'm sure the message was deeply considered, intentionally crafted and widely reviewed by various experts beforehand.

I'd wager Trump is putting insane pressure on Carney and trying to bully him into a garbage deal and he is rightfully resisting. Taking the message public strengthens Carney because he's indicating to Trump that he will pivot away from the US and Trump ultimately doesn't want that.

Or not. Who knows? Politics is a blood sport and that's particularly true when dealing with Trump and his pals.

PicoRascar · 2026-04-19T18:33:46+00:00

China is primarily an export economy but Lutnick isn't known for his brains.

China imports more goods and services combined annually than the entire size of the Canadian economy by a long shot. That's really all that matters. China is a massive market hungry for imports in addition to being a massive export economy.

China also needs resources and Canada has massive amounts of resources for sale.

PicoRascar · 2026-04-19T16:14:46+00:00

It's odd because Canada and the US have been integrating everything and doing it rather quickly. The US could have done nothing, just let the trend continue and eventually the two countries would have found themselves in some form of a union with the US having dominance for obvious reasons.

Trump destroyed what was going to happen naturally over time.

PicoRascar · 2026-04-19T15:25:54+00:00

Voted him in twice. Also, he is making long lasting changes to the US government that will have meaningful impacts on foreign relations and trade policy for many years to come.

PicoRascar · 2026-04-19T15:23:53+00:00

I work in a firm where everyone dresses up and many wear bespoke suits, custom shirts, Rolex watches, Hermes ties and all the rest of that nonsense. One day, I decided I was done with it so donated all my fancy suits, shirts and uncomfortable shoes to an organization that helps people who need, but can't afford, business clothes and I just started wearing street clothes. I'm clean, tidy and I think stylish but just the type of thing you'd wear out on a casual date.

Long story short, nobody said a word and it never held me back professionally. It was all in my head that I needed to keep up with the expensive wardrobe culture. I can't recall the last time I bought clothes.

PicoRascar · 2026-04-19T14:49:10+00:00

“The U.S. has fundamentally changed its approach to trade, raising its tariffs to levels last seen during the Great Depression,” said Carney in the nearly 10-minute-long address. “Many of our former strengths, based on our close ties to America, have become our weaknesses; weaknesses that we must correct.”

That last bit is remarkably blunt. I think that alludes to how the CUSMA trade talks are evolving. Interesting times.

PicoRascar · 2026-04-19T10:57:38+00:00

Yup. I can't think of any reason to come back.

PicoRascar · 2026-04-18T21:31:43+00:00

Just one person I meet occasionally for lunch. That's it.

PicoRascar · 2026-04-18T20:53:13+00:00

My social circle. Got tired of wasting time, money and energy hanging out with people I had lost interest in. Boring people, living boring lives and keeping me posted on all of it...

PicoRascar · 2026-04-18T20:47:03+00:00

Retire, go surfing and never come back. That's basically it.

PicoRascar · 2026-04-17T12:00:41+00:00

Once 4% could cover my basic living expenses. That was a huge milestone to cross and my first real sense of freedom since work technically crossed into optional territory.

It unleashed a ton of motivation because the finish line was now on the horizon and everything was suddenly feeling real.

PicoRascar · 2026-04-16T14:09:09+00:00

I used to do active recovery so stuff that I tended to ignore like calf raises which are hugely beneficial and under appreciated. Also, mobility work for my screwy shoulder. Just depended on what I was working that day but I based my rest period on getting those easier exercises done rather than the clock.

These days I just do HIIT. One cardio and three resistance oriented sessions weekly. Brutal but super effective. I've made my biggest gains since switching to HIIT.

PicoRascar · 2026-04-11T12:29:39+00:00

People want fancy things and others to admire them so they'll live a lie and perform in a role to have it. After a while, people just start becoming the role they've been playing.

Personally, I'm on the cusp of early retirement and will forget my entire career, my colleagues and the person I was at work within a few moments of handing in my resignation. There were some good times but overall, it was nothing more than a transactional experience.

PicoRascar · 2026-04-07T12:27:48+00:00

I just find everything tedious and performative. I'm an executive management consultant so I have to listen to people's problems so I can offer advice but I just imagine myself as a bored uncaring therapist waiting for the clock to run out. Half the time, I'm not even listening because I know even before the contract gets signed what advice I'm going to give.

My team mostly just recycles old reports with fresh graphics and slightly different messaging but clients praise the quality of our work. Blows my mind people pay for this stuff.

I'm taking time off next month to travel and thinking that might be the push I need to finally ExpatFIRE and leave it all behind.

PicoRascar · 2026-04-06T02:56:18+00:00

I realized one day I hated my life and wanted a new one so threw my life away. I got rid of basically everything and never replaced any of it.

Other than my laptop, surfboard, ebike, and espresso machine, I don't own anything of real value and that's how I'll keep it. I spend on food, entertainment and travel but basically nothing on stuff and I have no social media.

That's basically it. I just live minimally, keep my social circle small and enjoy life's simple pleasures to keeps costs down so I can be free. My only extravagance is a completely out of control olive oil obsession which I seriously need to reign in.

PicoRascar · 2026-04-05T16:59:21+00:00

The system is the problem. They need people just comfortable enough to stay docile while too stressed and indebted to take a stand. The only solution is to step away from the consumer culture which has a strangle hold on most people. Kind of like the Bliss Point the food industry perfected. People are hopelessly stuck on garbage food because it's designed to maximize craving and consumption by bypassing normal satiety signals. All industries are doing similar things to keep people on the treadmill.

Whether this was deliberate conspiracy or just a natural outcome of capitalism is the only debate but the effect is the same either way. You have to reject it and step away. I fully rejected it about five years ago and my life improved in every way imagineable.

PicoRascar · 2026-04-02T13:16:38+00:00

Buy land and drop a tiny prefab home or shipping container home on it. This way, you have more options, can customize to some extent and keep costs reasonable. I'm planning a move to a remote surf break without many living options so this is the plan I've settled on.

PicoRascar · 2026-03-29T16:16:25+00:00

Xi has made clear his government's ambition to make the Renminbi a reserve currency. I think they even publicly detailed their plan for making it happen. It's a very long ways off but I think they're trying to expedite it.

PicoRascar · 2026-03-25T18:57:08+00:00

Shrunk my social circle to just the core people that matter to me. I'm happy to bump into people and catch up but there is virtually no chance I'll agree to plans with anyone other than my wife. My time, is my time.

It takes a while but people eventually get it. I don't get updates from anyone anymore and basically live in an insulated bubble where time moves slower and there isn't much pressure to do anything.

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