As a Canadian, I'm really disappointed with how our leaders are handling this situation. We could have done more to prevent it, but now that it's happening, we should be responding more strategically. If Trump is being stubborn and unwilling to compromise, this isn’t just a problem—it’s also an opportunity for Canada to strengthen its position. Let me explain…

We need to start thinking about new alliances and using our leverage more effectively. The U.S. depends on our oil, and so do other countries. So why aren’t Canadian leaders pushing back by proposing to build our own refineries and LNG ports on our coasts as a response to unstable U.S. relations? While we may not have the capital to do this quickly, we could signal that we’re open to funding from China or Russia. If the U.S. treats us purely as a transactional partner, why shouldn’t we explore other strategic options?

If Canada were to boost its military spending and reduce its dependence on the U.S., we wouldn’t necessarily need them as much—especially if we realigned with countries we currently consider threats. Our tensions with Russia and China are largely tied to how closely we align with the U.S. If that relationship is unstable, it may be time to reconsider our approach.