You thought trade talks were tough. History lessons might be tougher.
CNN is reporting that in a testy phone call on May 25, President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau verbally sparred over the trade tariffs Trump was looking to impose.
In one exchange, this allegedly was said during a phone call via CNN.
According to the sources, Trudeau pressed Trump on how he could justify the tariffs as a “national security” issue. In response, Trump quipped to Trudeau, “Didn’t you guys burn down the White House?” referring to the War of 1812.
The problem with Trump’s comments to Trudeau is that British troops burned down the White House during the War of 1812. Historians note the British attack on Washington was in retaliation for the American attack on York, Ontario, in territory that eventually became Canada, which was then a British colony.
Maybe President Trump was trying to bust up a tense call with a little humor but who knows.
The Canadians are taking these trade talks incredibly seriously and along with the rest of the world are in no joking mood about it. They are particularly irked by the Presidents rational that Canada and our other allies are a “security risk”
Once again from CNN
Trudeau has publicly denounced the “national security” justification for the new tariffs.
“The idea that we are somehow a national security threat to the United States is, quite frankly, insulting and unacceptable,” Trudeau told NBC’s Meet the Press.
Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland questioned the Trump administration’s move on CNN.“And I would just say to all of Canada’s American friends — and there are so many — seriously? Do you really believe that Canada, that your NATO allies, represent a national security threat to you?” Freeland asked on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
In diplomacy words REALLY mean things and I can only imagine how using the security threat term is not sitting well with our allies. Just sit and think for a moment, when was the last time the Canadians ever got this vocal about ANYTHING other than hockey?
Hopefully, this all gets resolved and these tariffs will be removed and we can get back to more important things like history lessons.
I have been dying to know who Dolly Madison was and why she saved some painting AND made delicious treats for the troops in the Spanish-American war. (sarc)
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