If the past eight years have taught us anything, it’s that Donald Trump operates best in chaos. He keeps everyone—friends, foes, even his own team—guessing. And now, with tariffs set to kick in tomorrow, he’s pulled Justin Trudeau into the whirlwind yet again.
At this point, no one really knows what’s going to happen. Are the tariffs actually happening? Is there a last-minute deal in the works? Or is this just another one of Trump’s classic power plays to squeeze a few more concessions out of Canada? Even after reports surface that he and Trudeau spoke today and will speak again tonight, all we’re left with is uncertainty. And that’s exactly the way Trump likes it. Media reports say the tariffs against Mexico are delayed for a month. Things are changing moment by moment.
For years, his approach to trade has been a mix of bold claims, tough talk, and abrupt U-turns. He calls himself a master negotiator, but his real strategy seems to be throwing everything into disarray, watching the fallout, and then swooping in as the guy who can fix it. We’ve seen it with NAFTA, with steel and aluminum tariffs, and with threats to hammer Canada’s auto industry. He thrives on unpredictability—it’s both his biggest strength and his biggest risk.
On the other side of the border, Trudeau has had to walk a fine line. Canada would rather not alienate its largest trading partner, but bending to every demand isn’t an option either. In past trade battles, Trudeau has banked on patience, hoping that Trump’s knee-jerk decisions would eventually give way to reason. But this time, the stakes are higher. As he and his new best friend Elon Musk seize control of the U.S. government, Trump has more motivation than ever to follow through, just to prove he’s tough on trade.
So what does today’s conversation between the two leaders really mean? Is it a sign of compromise? A last-minute flex? Or just another round of Trump-style diplomatic theater? At this point, anyone who claims to know for sure is just guessing. According to reports, Trump scolded Trudeau about not allowing U.S. banks to do business here. Trump has said repeatedly that this is all about border security and drugs. What do we make of this sudden concern about competition in the banking world? Is it Trump’s strategy, or is he doing what he does best and flying by the seat of his pants? Probably the latter.
One thing is clear: Canada needs to be ready for anything. If the tariffs hit tomorrow, it’ll be yet another reminder that when it comes to Trump, chaos isn’t a side effect—it’s the whole playbook. And keeping everyone, including Canada’s prime minister, constantly off balance is just part of the game.
