I write on Aug. 25, Tuesday after the trade talks in Washington broke down.

They have always been about much more than trade. They reflect toxic American expansionism.

Greed, for resources such as water. Jealousy that our centrist governments work so well. Hunger to dominate. A society with an ill- educated population, where the worst members have risen to the top.

I continue to be shocked at the low intelligence of Republican politicians. Sean Duffy, a cabinet member, said recently that Canada has no military. Howard Lutnik, a hawk who is Secretary of Commerce, was the last-minute villain in the piece last Friday night. By all reports, he inserted into the draft agreement two conditions: that the U.S. have final say over what countries we trade with, and that the bilingualism, which Canada requires on all products, be removed. It was “too irritating,” he said. No, said the prime minister, it is a cultural value and the law.

That strike against our sovereignty was a bridge........

© Peterborough Examiner