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Has the art of the deal become the art of self-destruction?
It appears to some of us that America's isolationist policies and tariffs are alienating much of the world, so my question is will this be a golden moment for both Canada and China, amongst others? Trumps plan to make America great again has instead made Canada stronger, more independent, and more competitive than ever before. While American companies are struggling with higher costs and disrupted supply chains, Canadian companies are accessing new markets, forming new partnerships, and building new capabilities that will serve them for generations. This is where the story takes an even more dramatic turn because what happened next proved that Canada's transformation wasn't just about economics, it was about something far more fundamental, it was about respect, dignity and the right of sovereign nations to determine their own destiny. When Trump realized that his tariff strategy had backfired spectacularly, he did what he always does when faced with failure, he doubled down, instead of acknowledging that his approach had been counterproductive, he threatened even more aggressive measures, he talked about 75% tariffs, about complete trade cutoffs, about economic warfare that would force Canada to its knees. But this time something was different, this time Canada wasn't afraid, the reality is more devastating than anyone in Washington wants to admit. While Trump celebrates his supposed tariff victories, the true cost of his economic warfare is becoming impossible to ignore. American families are paying the price quite literally as companies like Walmart, Amazon and Subaru have increased costs and passed them onto consumers. But here's what makes this story truly remarkable, Canada isn't just weathering the storm anymore, they're thriving in spite of it. Mark Carney's brilliant strategic pivot away from American dependency has created something unprecedented, a blueprint for economic independence that other nations are now studying carefully, the quiet revolution that began with rejecting Canadian steel, has evolved into a comprehensive realignment of global partnerships. The numbers tell the story better than any political speech could, Canada's defense spending is surging toward NATO's 2% target but with a crucial difference, instead of funneling 70 to 80% of that money into American defense contractors as they've done for decades, Canada is building domestic capacity. The defense procurement agency is centralizing decisions, prioritizing Canadian steel, Canadian aluminum, far superior Canadian lumber, and Canadian critical minerals. It's economic nationalism, without the chaos, and strategy without the shouting. Trump's threats perfectly encapsulates everything wrong with his approach, this isn't alliance building, it's extortion. Carney's response has been swift and decisive, Canada is exploring Swedish fighter jets, European Defense Partnerships, and technological independence. The message is clear, if America wants to treat allies like customers, those allies will shop elsewhere. The transformation extends far beyond military procurement, as Canada's pivot to European markets has accelerated dramatically since Trump's latest tariff escalation. Trade delegations that once focused primarily on American partnerships are now establishing deep ties with London, Paris, Beijing and Berlin. The psychological shift is just as important as the economic one, for the first time in generations Canadian leadership is openly questioning whether an American partnership is worth the constant uncertainty and humiliation. What's most striking about Canada's approach is its discipline, there are no angry and undisciplined tweets, no juvenile public tantrums, no threats of retaliation, but instead there's methodical execution of a long-term strategy that slowly but steadily reduces dependence on an unreliable partner. Every canceled American contract, every new European partnership, every investment in domestic capacity represents another step away from the economic relationship that has defined North America for decades. And the ripple effects are already visible across other American allies. If Canada, America's most integrated partner can successfully diversify away from dependence on Washington what's stopping others from following the same path? European leaders are watching carefully as Canada demonstrates that there's life beyond American economic hegemony, the quiet Canadian Revolution is becoming a case study in strategic independence. Trump's tariff war was supposed to bring manufacturing back to America and force allies into submission, but instead it's accelerating the exact opposite outcome. American Supply chains are disrupted, costs are rising, and the most reliable partner in North America is quietly building an alternative future. The art of the deal has become the art of self-destruction, and the world is taking notes. Canada's trade war victory isn't measured in dramatic headlines or political theater, it's measured in steady progress toward economic sovereignty, and strengthen partnerships with reliable allies, and in the quiet confidence that comes from no longer needing to fear the next presidential tweet. As Trump continues his chaotic approach to international relations, Canada has chosen a different path, strategic, patient and ultimately more powerful than any tariff could ever be. A new Chinese security vision and American retreat from global leadership. While America’s retreat has so far been largely a choice – spearheaded by President Donald Trump’s “America First” administration – it may well become irreversible. And if the Communist Party of China (CPC) has its way, the People’s Republic will emerge as the new global hegemon. China’s recently published white paper on national security, its first ever, offers a glimpse into the CPC’s plans. Reflecting President Xi Jinping’s “holistic national security concept,” the document articulates an expansive, integrated approach, encompassing political, economic, military, technological, cultural, and societal domains. And unlike previous defense-focused white papers, it establishes political security – specifically, the CPC’s leadership – as the foundation of national stability, essential to enable China to act as a stabilizing force in a turbulent world. That turbulence, China asserts, can be blamed largely on Western powers – especially the US – which have fostered disorder through containment and interference. China has a point here: even America’s current withdrawal from global leadership has been conflicted and chaotic. This has provided a critical opening for China to position itself as a stable and certain actor in regional and global affairs, a champion of multilateralism, an investor in and defender of the Global South, and a just peacemaker. This appears to matter little to the Trump administration, which seems convinced that national security depends not on global outreach, but on military deterrence, advances in cybersecurity, and economic protectionism, exemplified by high tariffs, efforts to secure critical-mineral supply chains, and limits on the export of advanced technology to China. Within Asia, this vision has materialized in “treaties of good-neighborliness and friendly cooperation” between China and nine countries, and in China’s promotion of greater regional security cooperation, including with the ASEAN countries. More broadly, China is touting Xi’s Global Security Initiative (GSI), which was launched in 2022 as an alternative to Western-led security frameworks that can support broad-based, “win-win” cooperation on “complex and intertwined security challenges.” But as Trump’s America abandons that approach and alienates more of the world, China’s vision, focused on fortifying CPC control and building alternative frameworks for global engagement, has gained greater appeal. -
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Health Thai Activist Proposes Sex Ban for Under-22s to Tackle HIV Surge
"they" push for everyone to be under 24 hour surveillance to keep the kids safe...remember "if you have nothing to hide then you have nothing to worry about" so who could possibly object to it ? Welcome to the digital + (analogue) panopticon. -
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Health Thai Activist Proposes Sex Ban for Under-22s to Tackle HIV Surge
Good luck with that! -
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Leftist Oligarchs demand Dems “Get Shot ” for Democracy!
Gop Senator Mullen calls out the violent dem base & their oligarchs on behalf of the American people. They/ them called out for calling them Migrants and he called out the coordinating attacks by the usual suspects ,anarchist who we’re charged with attempted murder during a ambush of federal agents in Texas. Drug Cartels are ramping up for their lost revenue it appears! -
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Pattaya Police Arrest Chinese Man Over Gun Picture Prank
They said no real firearms were found, BB guns are toys! "Their search unearthed 16 rounds of 9mm ammunition and two BB guns, one short-barrelled and the other long. Importantly, no real firearms were located." -
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Health Thai Activist Proposes Sex Ban for Under-22s to Tackle HIV Surge
How about working on the culture that leads men to not care a bit about a female partner, whether she gets pregnant, or ends up with any sickness, as this culture allows men to, again, remain totally irresponsible about their acts...
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