Writing from the beautiful interior of British Columbia, where the mountains remind us daily that some things endure beyond the storms, I want to reach out to fellow Canadians and our friends around the world who are watching these trade conflicts unfold with growing concern.
The Shock of Betrayal
Just three days ago, we thought we had breathing room. The CBC reported that while Japan, South Korea, and other nations were receiving harsh tariff letters, Canada was notably absent from Trump’s list. We had until July 21 to negotiate. There was hope for a reasonable path forward between neighbors who have shared the world’s longest undefended border for generations.
Then came the letter. A 35% tariff—higher than what most other nations received. The language was harsh, accusatory, and deeply disrespectful to a relationship that has weathered world wars, economic crises, and countless challenges together.
To My Fellow Canadians
From the Maritime fishing communities to the Prairie grain farmers, from Quebec’s aerospace workers to BC’s forestry sector—we’re all feeling this uncertainty. The 35% tariff threatens jobs across our country. Our lumber heading south, our agriculture exports, our manufacturing partnerships—all suddenly at risk because of one man’s trade war.
But here’s what I want us to remember: we’ve faced challenges before. When the U.S. imposed tariffs on our softwood lumber, we found other markets. When NAFTA was renegotiated into CUSMA, we adapted. When the pandemic disrupted supply chains, we innovated. We’re resilient people, and we’ll get through this too.
To Our Friends in Japan
Your nation has faced these same tariff threats with dignity and grace. The 25% tariff announcement must have been particularly stinging given Japan’s role as a steadfast ally and economic partner to the United States for decades. Your technology, your automotive excellence, your commitment to fair trade—none of that seems to matter in this new era of “America First” policies.
But Japan has shown remarkable resilience throughout its history. Your ability to maintain composure while seeking diplomatic solutions, even in the face of such economic hostility, is admirable. The world is watching and learning from your measured response.
To People Around the World Facing These Destructive Policies
Whether you’re in South Korea facing 25% tariffs, in Thailand confronting 36% barriers, or in any of the other nations watching decades of carefully built trade relationships crumble under the weight of one man’s protectionist agenda—know that your frustration and anger are justified.
President Trump’s approach isn’t just imposing economic hardship; it’s systematically destroying the trust and cooperation that took generations to build. The respectful partnerships between nations, the mutual understanding that trade benefits everyone, the diplomatic courtesy that once defined international relations—all of it is being sacrificed for short-term political gain.
To our friends in South Africa, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and all the other countries facing these punitive measures: this isn’t how mature nations are supposed to treat each other. Your dignity in the face of such disrespect speaks volumes about your character and the character of the nation imposing these barriers.
Most Importantly: To the People of the United States
We see you. We know you’re there. We know that millions of Americans are watching their president’s behavior with the same dismay and embarrassment that we feel on your behalf.
You might have been in the electoral minority, but you represent something far more important than vote counts—you represent the America we’ve always believed in. The America that builds bridges instead of walls, that solves problems through cooperation instead of intimidation, that leads through example instead of through fear.
We know you’re struggling with how your country looks to the world right now. We know you’re tired of apologizing for policies you didn’t choose and behavior you don’t support. We know you’re wondering how to rebuild relationships that are being torn apart daily by someone who claims to represent you.
Your country is looking smaller and smaller on the world stage. Not because it lacks power or influence, but because its current leadership lacks the wisdom and grace to use that power responsibly. When a president wages trade wars against allies, when he writes disrespectful letters to neighboring democracies, when he treats international cooperation as weakness—the world doesn’t see strength. It sees a great nation diminished by poor leadership.
But here’s what we want you to know: we still believe in you. We still believe in the America that helped build the international order after World War II. We still believe in the America that values democracy, respects its allies, and understands that prosperity comes through cooperation, not domination.
There is always hope. Political leaders change. Elections come and go. The damage being done to relationships that were strong for decades—it’s not easy to repair, but it’s not impossible either. When America chooses leaders who understand that true strength comes from lifting others up, not tearing them down, the world will be ready to rebuild those partnerships.
We’re hoping you’ll find ways to stand against the policies that are isolating your country and damaging your reputation. We’re hoping you’ll continue to vote, to speak out, to remind your fellow citizens that America is stronger when it works with the world, not against it.
The Strength in Standing Together
What strikes me most is how this trade war is pushing natural allies away from the United States. Canada and Japan have always been among America’s closest partners. We’ve stood together in NATO, in the G7, in countless international initiatives. Yet here we are, both facing punitive tariffs from someone who should be our friend.
This is creating something the U.S. may not have anticipated: stronger bonds between the countries being targeted. When Japan and Canada are both facing unreasonable trade barriers, we naturally look to each other and to other like-minded nations for partnership.
The Path Forward
From here in Kamloops, looking out at the Thompson River valley, I’m reminded that rivers always find a way to flow, even when obstacles are placed in their path. Trade is like that river—it finds new channels, creates new partnerships, builds new bridges.
We can:
- Strengthen our trade relationships with the EU, ASEAN, and other partners
- Support our businesses in finding new markets and opportunities
- Invest in the innovations that will make us more competitive globally
- Remember that political leaders change, but the fundamental bonds between peoples endure
A Personal Note
As someone living in Canada’s interior, I’ve seen how interconnected our economies really are. The trucks carrying goods south on the Coquihalla, the trains moving Prairie grain through our mountain passes, the technology and ideas flowing both ways across our border—these aren’t just economic statistics. They’re the lifeblood of communities like ours.
When that flow is threatened by arbitrary tariffs and disrespectful letters, it’s not just about trade numbers. It’s about the uncertainty facing families, the stress on small businesses, the sense that relationships we took for granted are suddenly fragile.
To the World
Canada and Japan are not alone in facing this challenge. The current U.S. administration’s approach to trade is testing relationships globally. But every crisis also creates opportunity—opportunity for the rest of us to work more closely together, to build more resilient partnerships, to show that cooperation can flourish even when one major player chooses confrontation.
The mountains here teach patience. They remind us that while storms can be fierce, they don’t last forever. The relationships we build, the partnerships we nurture, the respect we show each other—these are the things that endure.
We’ll get through this together. From the valleys of British Columbia to the islands of Japan, from the Prairies to the great cities of the world, we’ll find a way forward that honors both our prosperity and our dignity.
CBC article from July 7th https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/trump-tariff-letters-1.7579036
A reflection on the letter to Japan: https://www.ladbible.com/news/us-news/donald-trump-letter-japan-prime-minister-469987-20250708
Letter to Canada’s Prime Minister: https://www.reddit.com/r/onguardforthee/comments/1lwtla6/trump_sends_a_letter_to_canada_announcing_35/
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