I’ve been there. I like Canadians. I even like poutine. And Tim Hortons has rescued me on more than one occasion.

So explain something to me.

Why are they the way they are?

Start with trade, because apparently everything starts with trade now.

For years, Canada has enjoyed a pretty good arrangement with the United States. They sell us oil. They sell us lumber. They protect their dairy industry behind tariffs and quotas that would make an American farmer’s head spin. Then, when Washington finally decides maybe this relationship could use a little recalibration, Ottawa discovers the word “fairness.”

Funny how that works.

Canada responded to the latest American tariffs by matching them dollar for dollar — very tough, very defiant — and then started making exceptions when the consequences got uncomfortable at home.

Apparently, the revolution will not interfere with the salmon.

That’s politics. I get it. Governments protect their industries. Prime ministers have voters, too. But spare me the wounded-neighbor routine when the United States finally decides to protect its own interests.

Then there’s the lake.

President Trump signed an executive order renaming Lake Ontario “Lake America” on the American side of the border.

And Canada lost its mind.

Canadian officials........

© Townhall