Covert Operation by Mark Carney
In a surprising turn of events, Quebec's Premier François Legault has announced his intention to use the Council of the Federation to discuss military spending, focusing on Canada's defence budget in the face of ongoing trade tensions with the United States [1].
The trade war between the two nations, ignited by President Donald Trump's tariffs, can be traced back to Canada's 25% counter-tariffs at the beginning of the conflict and the lack of cooperation in the fight against fentanyl. The Canadian economy, though not economically disastrous due to the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), may be negatively impacted by the constant threat of further tariff increases [2].
This tariff spat has caused paralyzing uncertainty for Canadian businesses, making it difficult for them to plan their investments and business strategies. Some Quebecers have put their real estate projects on hold due to the current circumstances [1].
The Canadian economy grew by 2.2% in the first quarter of 2025, but the imposition of new tariffs could tarnish the image of competence that Prime Minister Mark Carney was trying to project. Carney, who has earned the nickname "Trump whisperer," has managed to navigate the complex atmosphere by balancing respect for Trump while remaining accountable to Canadian interests [1].
However, the relationship between Carney and Trump has not been without its challenges. The U.S., under Trump, has imposed significant tariffs on Canadian goods not covered by CUSMA, escalating trade tensions. In response, Carney made a concession in June to impose a 3% tax on web giants' revenues from Canadian users [2].
Meanwhile, Mexico was given a 90-day reprieve from these tariffs. The text, part of the Opinion section of Le Devoir, reflects the values and position of the publication as defined by its director in collaboration with the editorial team [1].
In the St. Lawrence River, a rare common beaked whale has been observed. The common beaked whale is a threatened species that typically lives far from coasts [3].
Amid these challenges, Premier Legault remains open to compromises, except for supply management and French language issues. The tariff spat between the United States and Canada continues to be a complex issue, with better personal relations not fully insulating Canada from aggressive U.S. trade measures [1][2].
References: [1] Le Devoir, Opinion section. (2025). The relationship between Mark Carney and Donald Trump. Retrieved from https://www.ledevoir.com/opinion/361291/the-relationship-between-mark-carney-and-donald-trump [2] Canadian Press. (2025). Tariffs, trade tensions, and the Canadian economy. Retrieved from https://www.canadianpress.com/business/tariffs-trade-tensions-and-the-canadian-economy [3] National Geographic. (2025). Rare common beaked whale sighted in St. Lawrence River. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2025/05/rare-common-beaked-whale-sighted-in-st-lawrence-river/
- The ongoing trade tensions between Canada and the United States have caused uncertainty in the industry, making it challenging for Canadian businesses to plan their investments and strategies, even affecting real estate projects in Quebec.
- Premier Legault's discussions with the Council of the Federation are focusing not only on military spending and Canada's defence budget but also on the impact of trade conflicts with the United States on the nation's finance and economy.
- The energy sector, with its reliance on trade with the United States, may be negatively impacted by any further tariff increases, adding to the concerns of policymakers and legislators.
- In the midst of these challenges, politics, as always, plays a significant role in managing relations with the United States, with Canadian policymakers such as Prime Minister Mark Carney navigating the complex atmosphere while maintaining accountability to Canadian interests.
- The general news, both domestic and international, continues to report on the war-and-conflicts and trade-tensions that dominate the relationship between Canada and the United States, with no clear resolution in sight.
