Of the 186 countries around the world that Donald Trump has imposed tariffs on, included are the Heard and McDonald Islands in the Antarctic.

The human population on these islands is zero. The only living creatures on the islands are penguins.

The man is insane.

Paul Arnold

Saanich

Among the latest economy-destroying round of tariffs, recently introduced by someone whose name I dislike repeating, are tariffs on a few uninhabited islands around the world with no economy.

Just more demonstration of ignorance and incompetence.

American voters need to wake up and realize that the emperor has no clothes.

Norm Slater

Sooke

From the moment the Donald Trump proposed tariffs on Canada and Mexico while campaigning, Canadian politicians have been sabre-rattling with talk of countervailing tariffs.

There were many interviews on social media of Trump supporters not understanding that they were actually going to pay a higher price as a result of the tariff.

Based on this simple understanding of how a tariff works, why would Canadian governments, both national and provincial, impose tariffs?

The Canadian public has already demonstrated a preference for purchasing non-U.S. products. Suppliers, without the direction of government, have responded to consumer demand and focused on products from Canada and other countries (not the U.S.).

If a tariff is a tax on the consumer why, given the economic climate, would the federal and provincial governments choose to “tax” its citizens by imposing tariffs? Let consumers choose.

Canadians are patriotic and will choose to support Canada. I read grocery labels more closely and avoiding “Product of the USA” whenever I can.

The consumer boycott of American products is much more powerful than a politician saying we are not allowed to buy an American product. Canadians will step up, or elbows up, and the effect will be more powerful and more substantive than having our governments tell us what to do.

Governments should resist the urge to react to Trump and let Canadians do what they know is right.

Kevin Burns

Victoria

Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has unveiled his “Plan to Build Canadian” which would mandate using “100% Canadian steel in all federally funded projects.”

I agree with him and I hope he speaks to NDP Premier David Eby and convinces him to have B.C. Ferries build their new ferries in Canada using Canadian steel.

Unfortunately the provincial NDP government’s policy on this issue is identical to the former B.C. Liberal/United policy. And please don’t tell me B.C. Ferries is a private company.

Wayne Cox

Saanichton

Re: “Two ways to fix the health-care system,” letter, April 3.

The letter recommends moving the “bed blockers” out of acute care. This........

© Times Colonist