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But I suspect that he is blind to how much better European cars are compared to American cars. American cars are at Lear a decade behind the European equivalents in terms of rust proofing and interior materials. Possibly all the materials throughout the whole vehicle.
Can you give a case example on euro vs American cars?
I'll probably put some money into the S&P500 now it's tanked a bit.
We know damn well that what trump&co are doing... short the market, buy low, sell high etc. It's all they understand.
Anyone who can't see that, is barking up the wrong lamp post.
Just look at his various scams with crypto, 'luxury' watches, and basket ball boots with goldy looking plastic.
I've met traders in the grand bazzar in Isanbul, with more business acumen than him.
Can you give a case example on euro vs American cars?
Well, Cadillac have just been granted an entry to F1 so we'll have a definitive answer soon....
Does this mean that my "spare" Phil Wood b/bs and Chris King headsets are worthless?
Canada’s current reputation for niceness, for a long time the stereotype was ‘surly drunk who gets into fights’.
The interesting thing about Canadians is that they are polite helpful and friendly, but if you piss them off they will let you know and impolite behaviour isn’t tolerated (generalization)
Can you give a case example on euro vs American cars?
Ford escape vs the kuga. The us versions rust rapidly and the interior plastics (some, not all) are very low quality. I’ve also got experience of the fusion/mondeo.
Small US GM products (when they made them) were a poor comparison to the Europe GM cars.
the cars are, or were, cheaper, though. I don’t think any US manufacturers make a golf sized car anymore.
For me it’s not really about boycotting the US, but that when I buy things the money I spend will stay in Canada as opposed to going to a country with a leader who is trying to break the Canadian economy.
As nicko74 mentions, hopefully this situation will make the Provences start working together to make domestic trade simpler.
in truth it’s a bit futile, I only have one American thing on my bike, but I’m typing this on an iPhone. Canada couldn’t win a trade war with the USA, nor could any other country. As Kelvin pointed out above, the technology that the world runs on is American.
anyway, rambling.
Aren’t Canadians (their soldiers anyway), one of the driving reasons the Geneva convention exists?
Not to be ****ed with.
Tl;Dr
Trump has stated that other NATO countries wouldn't help the US was attacked.
Erm well what did he think the 2nd Iraq war was about and Afghanistan. Complete twunt
Aren’t Canadians (their soldiers anyway), one of the driving reasons the Geneva convention exists?
Not to be ****ed with.
You might be right. Although looking at the reasons behind it, it does sound like a case of FAFO (**** about, find out)
I'm in Vancouver (ex pat), and it's all a bit odd. Had an American guy apologise to me on a ski lift last week.
I don't think anyone is seriously worried about being annexed, but the general attitude towards the states is very dark right now. Supermarkets are putting little flags on Canadian stuff and slowly edging out American. People are avoiding US petrol and attempting to buy Canadian. Everyone I actually talk to thinks Trump is a cretin, but better watch his back.
However, as always, the loud minority of Freedom Convoy/flag shagger types on social media are pushing the "well, we should just secure the borders like Papa Trump asks" side. Like it was ever about fentanyl. Pretty sure incoming border security is a US problem anyway.
Although there is little/no chance of Canada winning a full on trade war with the states, they rely on the north for more than they think. Crude oil, assorted ores, lumber, water, and power, to name a few. Hopefully it'll instigate Canadian producers to start processing more raw materials, rather than just exporting in the rawest form. Hopefully it'll also sort out the bizarre trans-provincial trade restrictions within Canada.
Currently, I'm not too worried. I've not noticed any increase in prices on stuff that I buy. Changed a few shopping habits. The CAD has dropped a bit, but it doesn't seem to mean much within the country. I'll not be going over the border for a while, but big whoop, it's expensive and scary down there anyway.
but I’m typing this on an iPhone
I have a Google Pixel 7a, so in the same situation.
However, if I was buying a phone today rather than a year ago, I would be thinking about a Fairphone, since it's manufactured in the Netherlands.
(And also because Google seem to have given up making good phones, at least the 7 is disappointing).
And I might see if I can make /e/OS work.
Got to start somewhere.
So Canada is engaging in its own trade war with China that predates Trump.
Thanks Beargrease, good to know. I must confess I hadn't checked when I wrote that, just assumed as they bill us in USD. That would be a pain to move away from.
So Canada is engaging in its own trade war with China that predates Trump.
Is this somehow relevant to the US threatening to annex Canada? Or are you suggesting that maybe China is/was intending on annexing Canada 'cos of their trade war? (In which case, maybe the EU needs to watch out as they also slapped tariffs on Chinese-made EV cars...)
🙄
Isn't there a world of difference between a trade war, and tariffs on particular items you wish to control
I didn't read the whole article but the headline mentions EVs.?
Europe, the US and Canada, to name but twenty-nine (if we're talking individual countries) have either had or increased tariffs on Chinese-built EVs since last summer/autumn
Countries like Australia that don't manufacture EVs don't tend to impose tariffs and the UK wasn't planning tariffs the last time I looked, although some industry leaders have asked for them
However, if I was buying a phone today rather than a year ago, I would be thinking about a Fairphone, since it's manufactured in the Netherlands.
Assembled maybe, but manufactured is a stretch. Qualcomm (US company) processor, running modified android OS, OLED screen will be LG display, probably made in china. Similar will apply to memory chips etc.
Global supply chains are so complex, if you are buying advanced electronics it is inevitable many parts will come from the same places regardless of branding.
Is this somehow relevant to the US threatening to annex Canada? Or are you suggesting that maybe China is/was intending on annexing Canada 'cos of their trade war? (In which case, maybe the EU needs to watch out as they also slapped tariffs on Chinese-made EV cars...)
🙄
Apologies, it seems to have got your back up.
I posted it because I wasn't aware that Canada is currently engaged in a tit-for-tat trade war with China in which China has just retaliated according to the latest news (I have no idea if China has also taken retaliatory action against the EU) I thought fighting trade wars on two fronts might increase the pressures on Canada. I also thought that it might be a reflection on how more generally the world is turning to protectionism.
Anyway it is obviously of no interest so apologies once again!
Isn't there a world of difference between a trade war, and tariffs on particular items you wish to control
This isn't even about a trade war. We've had those in the past.
No, this is about the US wanting to do to Canada what Russia is currently trying to do to Ukraine. The trade war is just the opening gambit.
No, this is about the US wanting to do to Canada what Russia is currently trying to do to Ukraine. The trade war is just the opening gambit.
Don't conflate the US with Trump.
In the very unlikely event that he gave the order to invade what is in place to stop him? I think he probably has more power as Commander In Chief than, say, Kier Starmer has over the UK military, can congress refuse to authorise it for instance? There must be a significant portion of the top brass and probably quite a few of the rank and file who would just point blank refuse. Or is his plan much longer term and he needs to stir things up to a point where everyone thinks it's necessary? Or is it all just bovine colonic throughput?
There must be a significant portion of the top brass
He sacked the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff last week.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyr2xvn4dpo
In a lot of ways, it's very similar to what happened in Germany. If so, don't be surprised to see US officers swearing an oath of loyalty to the Fuehrer President.
can congress refuse to authorise
Congress right now appear to be rolling over and letting him do whatever he wants.
Re-reading German history, the next step would be martial law under some pretext ("the immigrants are eating our cats and dogs") and suspend Congress anyway for the safety of the Fatherland USA.
Equally shocked that the OP is self proclaimed old and passed it and used the term ‘reach out’ (in any context, nevermind that of invasion).
But yeah, batting for Canada on this one.
Not too sure I'm keen on the idea of boycotting bike brands. Boycotting in general I find a hard concept sometimes.
Let's say no one buys any US mtb stuff any more. Result:
SRAM, Santa Cruz, Trek, Specialized, ENVE, Yeti, Surly, Chris King, GT, Ibis, Marin, Lynskey... and many more get hurt hard.
USA GDP hardly notices the difference.
Things like Amazon, travelling to the US, companies ordering from there, etc, I can see the point a bit more.
Boycotting IMO is more about sending a message than financial impact so unless it's done on a large scale and/or in an obvious showy manner, all it does is harm the individual businesses.
Equally shocked that the OP is self proclaimed old and passed it and used the term ‘reach out’
You need more skibidi in your life 😉
I’ve just ordered some We Are One rims, over Enve, for my next bike. It will have a mostly SRAM mech (body bought second hand, and the cage and pulleys will be aftermarket, from Germany) Enve bars and cane creek cranks, but they were bought before it all went to shit.
#doingmybit
This isn't even about a trade war. We've had those in the past.
No, this is about the US wanting to do to Canada what Russia is currently trying to do to Ukraine. The trade war is just the opening gambit
Well it's widely seen as a trade war even if the aims are political as much as they are economical. There's even a Wikipedia page dedicated to it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_United_States_trade_war_with_Canada_and_Mexico
And China appears to be exploiting the situation by announcing massive tariffs on Canadian goods in retaliation for tariffs Canada imposed on Chinese goods in August last year. I guess it could just be a coincidence and the Chinese government needed 7 months to think about it but personally I feel that is probably unlikely.
Specialized
I do feel sorry for small mom and pop bike companies like this that will suffer 🤣
But if regular people in the USA start to see Trump's bullshoot as affecting them directly, maybe that's a good thing?
When its a choice between American products or European/other, I know where I'll be spending my money for the foreseeable future.
Re-reading German history, the next step would be martial law under some pretext ("the immigrants are eating our cats and dogs") and suspend Congress anyway for the safety of the Fatherland USA.
Maybe closer to the midterms, if the polls aren't going his way.
Re-reading German history, the next step would be martial law under some pretext ("the immigrants are eating our cats and dogs") and suspend Congress anyway for the safety of the Fatherland USA.
Good job they've got the 2nd Amendment, eh? 👍
I did see something a couple of weeks ago about the Canadians looking to join the EU, although personally I think that Canada is much closer politically to the US than the European standard.
How so? I'd say that Canada is closer politically to the 'European standard' than the UK is.
Does anyone in the US actually understand where the money comes from to pay tarrifs?
The intelligent (majority Democrat) half of the population do. The dumb Republican (and particularly MAGA part) don't. It's the same as remaining or leaving the EU.
I've been in the "avoid buying American" since the election in November.
We go married in Florida nearly 25 years ago (we were there when the eeeejits voted in W over Al Gore and the biassed Supreme court wouldn't have a recount as the 5 Republicans overruled the democratic members knowing it would have given the win to Gore). 25th anniversary holiday... ruled out a return to Florida on principle that we're not putting a single penny into their economy if we can help it for at least the next 4 years (longer if they elect another moron). We're putting our dosh into the European economy.
Next car is European or Japanese (as per another thread, avoiding American-owned like Stellantis).
I've been a Hope fan fanboi for 2 decades so British for all the bits they make. And Shimano all the way over SRAM, except sadly the shifters on the gravel bike have modified SRAM shifters. Next dropper is absolutely not a Fox or Rock Shox. Etc.
Whilst i won't single handedly sink the American economy, at least O know I'm not unnecessarily propping it up.
Looks like Trump will have to deal with a big brain north of his boarder. Mark Carney.
If there's something good to come from this, its that Dump's antics have hopefully improved the Canadian Liberal Party's standing. Because there's already too many Right Wing neo fascist loons in or near power in too many countries already Erdoğan, Orban, and the scum like Chrupalla in Germany, Le Pen in France, Farage in Britain hovering like shit around flies. Nobody needs Poilevre in charge of Canada. He's not safe enough to even be allowed to be in charge of cleaning out wheelie bins.
Looks like Trump will have to deal with a big brain north of his boarder. Mark Carney.
Ironic that Trumps actions have reinvigorated the Canadian liberals.
Are there any non-US alternatives to Strava?
Are there any non-US alternatives to Strava?
I've got a cousin in Canada, somewhere in Whitehorse.
Which is coincidentally the source of the Trump fortune; that brothel ended up starting something bigly...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_Trump
if people bought more bc bud it would help canada
Ironic that Trumps actions have reinvigorated the Canadian liberals.
I don't think it's just Canada. It's no surprise to me that just after Trump starting mouthing off about Europe the huge swing to the right in the German elections did come to pass quite as expected, on the back of the largest turnout seen for a very long time.
There was still a swing to the right in Germany, maybe not quite the numbers that could have been predicted with much of the media focusing on immigration in the months leading to the election, and it was quite a noticeable old east/west split, the Afd was still the second largest party.
However at least the CDU/CSU and the SDP probable alliance looks to be creating investment in the economy, policies that they were attacking the "loony left" for in the campaigning. Maybe something that Starmer could note instead of continuing his waltz to the right.
I still say that one of the most important actions that any government needs to take to protect democracy is taking the distorting affect of oligarchy funding out of politics and lobbying groups, we can not have anything near to true democracy while this is still allowed.