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Canadians today confront a nation-defining question: Do we have the spine for what might lie ahead? U.S. President Donald Trump’s actions in recent days confirmed the vow he made last January to undermine Canada’s independence through “economic force.”

He has imposed sectoral tariffs on steel, aluminum, automobiles, softwood lumber and other products, and repeatedly walked away from trade and tariff negotiations. His most recent tantrum was over a commercial from the government of Ontario reminding Americans that former Republican president Ronald Reagan opposed tariffs.

It’s impossible to know what Mr. Trump’s real motivation was. Perhaps it was anger over Ontario’s commercial. Perhaps he is seeking to force Canada to make further concessions. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government had already rescinded the digital services tax to reach a deal. Apparently, that wasn’t enough.

And the........

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