No Forgiveness, No Forgetting: Why Canada Must Treat America as an Existential Threat

I. Introduction: The American Threat

For too long, Canadians have clung to the illusion that the United States is a friend, an ally, and a partner. This belief has persisted despite centuries of evidence to the contrary. From economic coercion to military threats, cultural erasure to political interference, America has never truly respected Canada as an independent nation. The latest surge in American hostility under Donald Trump is not a break from the norm—it is merely a louder and more explicit expression of a long-standing pattern of American dominance over its northern neighbor.

Trump’s recent rhetoric, including threats of economic force, punitive tariffs, and even offhanded suggestions of annexation, should serve as a wake-up call. Canadians are often quick to dismiss Trumpism as an aberration, a temporary sickness within the American political system. This is a mistake. Trump is not the cause of American hostility toward Canada—he is simply its most vulgar and unfiltered manifestation. The same instincts that drive his administration’s aggression have been present in U.S. policy toward Canada for over two centuries. Whether through military invasion, economic manipulation, or cultural absorption, America has never treated Canada as a truly sovereign nation.

History makes this clear. From the War of 1812, when the United States attempted to conquer Canada under the assumption that its people would welcome them as liberators, to the 19th-century belief in Manifest Destiny, which saw Canada as an inevitable addition to American territory, U.S. ambitions toward its northern neighbor have never fully disappeared. Even as direct military threats faded, American economic dominance and cultural imperialism took their place. The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) of 1988 and its successor, NAFTA, ensured that Canada remained economically dependent on the United States. Meanwhile, American media, politics, and business interests have systematically eroded Canada’s ability to maintain a distinct identity.

The current escalation of U.S.-Canada tensions under Trump is not a new conflict—it is simply the latest chapter in an ongoing struggle. If Canadians fail to recognize this pattern, they will remain vulnerable to the next iteration of American expansionism, whether it comes in the form of military pressure, economic blackmail, or political subversion.

This essay argues that Canada must sever its emotional, economic, and strategic dependence on the United States and begin treating it as an existential threat. This argument is built on three key pillars:

1. The Historical Pattern of American Aggression – From invasion attempts to economic coercion, U.S. actions toward Canada have consistently followed a pattern of dominance and exploitation.
2. The Modern Reality of American Hegemony – U.S. control over trade, politics, and culture ensures that Canada remains subordinate, no matter which party holds power in Washington all the while the Trump movement funds and maintains a Maple MAGA fifth column in Canada.
3. The Need for a Radical Shift in Canadian Strategy – Canada must take decisive action to break free from American influence, including economic diversification, military investment, and a cultural rejection of Americanization.

Canadians must abandon the illusion of friendship with the United States and recognize that our survival as a nation depends on treating America not as an ally, but as a rival. The sooner we wake up to this reality, the better prepared we will be to defend our sovereignty in the years ahead.

II. The Historical Pattern of American Aggression

Americans have always viewed Canada as an unfinished project—an extension of the United States that simply hasn’t been integrated yet. This belief has shaped American foreign policy for over two centuries, manifesting in repeated attempts to conquer, annex, or subjugate Canada through military, economic, and political means. The pattern is undeniable: whenever America perceives weakness in Canada, it exploits it. Whenever Canada asserts independence, the U.S. retaliates. From the War of 1812 to modern economic warfare, America has never accepted a truly sovereign Canada.

A. The War of 1812: A Blueprint for Conquest

The first significant attempt at annexing Canada came in 1812, when the United States, emboldened by its expansionist ambitions, launched a full-scale invasion. The American assumption was clear: Canadians, eager to rid themselves of British rule, would welcome the U.S. Army as liberators. This delusion was quickly shattered.

Instead of rising up against the British, Canadian settlers and Indigenous nations fought alongside them to repel the American invasion. The battles of Queenston Heights, Beaver Dams, and Châteauguay showcased a fierce resistance that humiliated American forces. The war ended not with American conquest, but with the burning of Washington, D.C., by British and Canadian forces.

Despite their failure, the Americans did not abandon their belief that Canada should eventually fall under their control. The war reinforced the idea that Canadian independence was an unnatural condition—one that could and should be corrected.

B. Manifest Destiny and the Annexation Schemes

Throughout the 19th century, the ideology of Manifest Destiny—the belief that the United States was divinely destined to expand across North America—kept the dream of annexing Canada alive. While much of the focus was on expanding westward into Indigenous and Mexican lands, Canada was always part of the equation.

American newspapers regularly speculated that it was only a matter of time before Canada joined the Union. Politicians openly discussed annexation, sometimes through diplomacy, but more often through economic or military pressure.

Several key moments highlighted this persistent threat:

• 1849: The Montreal Riots – After Britain repealed preferential trade policies, American-funded rioters torched the Parliament in Montreal, pushing Canada further toward Confederation as a defensive measure against U.S. interference.
• The Fenian Raids (1866–1871) – Armed militias of Irish-American Civil War veterans launched multiple invasions into Canada, with the tacit approval of elements within the U.S. government. These raids were meant to destabilize British control, but they also served as a test run for potential annexation.
• The Alaska Purchase (1867) – U.S. Secretary of State William Seward, who orchestrated the deal, described Alaska as the "first step" toward absorbing all of Canada into the United States.

It was the persistent threat of American annexation that ultimately drove Canadian leaders to form Confederation in 1867. Canada was not founded out of a natural political evolution, but as a defensive measure against American imperialism. The U.S. reaction? Indifference, with an undertone of expectation that Canada’s independence was a temporary inconvenience.

C. The 20th Century: Economic and Military Subjugation

By the 20th century, outright military conquest became impractical, but economic and political coercion took its place. The U.S. realized that it could achieve its goals through subtler means—by ensuring that Canada remained economically dependent and politically subordinate.

Several examples illustrate this shift:

• The 1935 “New Deal for Canada” Proposal – During the Great Depression, U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt suggested merging the economies of Canada and the United States to create a joint recovery plan. The catch? Canada would effectively be absorbed into the American system, with its industries, resources, and policies dictated by Washington.
• Post-WWII Economic Integration – After the Second World War, the U.S. leveraged its economic power to pull Canada into its orbit. The establishment of NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) in 1957 blurred military sovereignty, while trade agreements increasingly tied Canada’s economic survival to American decision-making.
• The CIA and Political Interference – During the 1960s and 1970s, the U.S. actively monitored and interfered in Canadian politics. Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau was spied on by the CIA, and the U.S. had extensive involvement in monitoring Quebec separatist movements to ensure Canada remained a stable economic vassal state.

At every stage, when Canada attempted to assert independence, the U.S. found new ways to pull it back in. By the late 20th century, the United States no longer needed to discuss annexation openly. It had already achieved functional control.

Conclusion: A Pattern That Never Ended

From military invasions to economic coercion, the American approach to Canada has remained consistent. When brute force failed, economic dependency was used. When political subjugation wasn’t possible, cultural imperialism became the tool of choice. The goal has never changed: Canada must not be allowed to exist as a truly independent nation.

Understanding this historical context is critical because it shows that Trumpism is not a break from the past—it is a continuation of an old American impulse. Canada’s belief that the U.S. is a benevolent ally is a dangerous delusion, one that has been systematically disproven at every turn.

If Canadians do not recognize this reality, history will repeat itself. The next American attack—whether economic, political, or even military—will not come as a surprise. It is simply the latest iteration of a war that has been waged for over two centuries.

III. The Modern Era: American Hegemony and Economic Warfare

If the 19th and early 20th centuries were defined by military invasions and political interference, the late 20th and 21st centuries have seen the United States shift to more insidious methods of control. Today, economic coercion and cultural dominance are the primary weapons in America’s campaign to keep Canada subservient. The tools may have changed, but the strategy remains the same: ensure that Canada never truly operates as an independent power.

A. Free Trade and the Economic Stranglehold

One of the most effective ways the U.S. has maintained control over Canada is through trade agreements designed to cement economic dependence.

The 1988 Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Canada and the U.S. was billed as a mutually beneficial arrangement, but in reality, it was the beginning of a one-sided economic relationship in which Canada surrendered key industries to American dominance. The FTA led directly to NAFTA (1994), which further entrenched U.S. economic control by:

• Forcing Canada to give up energy sovereignty – The agreement ensured that Canada would be required to continue supplying the U.S. with oil and natural gas, even in times of domestic shortages.
• Weakening Canadian manufacturing – By structuring trade policies in America’s favor, NAFTA contributed to the erosion of domestic industries, making Canada more reliant on U.S. imports.
• Preventing true economic diversification – With over 75% of Canada’s exports going to the U.S., any attempt to shift toward other markets (Europe, China, Latin America) is met with resistance from American political and corporate interests.

Trump’s USMCA (2018), which replaced NAFTA, only strengthened America’s ability to dictate Canada’s economic future. The agreement included a provision explicitly preventing Canada from negotiating a free trade deal with China without U.S. approval—an astonishing admission that America sees Canada not as a partner, but as a satellite state.

Whenever Canada attempts to assert economic independence, the U.S. responds with punishment. Trump’s recent tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum are not about protecting American industry; they are an explicit reminder that Washington can and will weaponize trade whenever it chooses. This is not a temporary Trumpist policy—it is part of a long-term strategy of keeping Canada economically shackled.

B. American Culture as a Tool of Colonization

While economic control is America’s primary means of maintaining dominance, it is complemented by a deliberate effort to erase Canadian identity through cultural imperialism. The Americanization of Canada is not accidental; it is a calculated strategy designed to make resistance to U.S. influence unthinkable.

This campaign has been waged on multiple fronts:

• Hollywood as a soft power weapon – Canadian film and television industries have been systematically undermined by the dominance of American media. Instead of producing its own distinct cultural narratives, Canada’s entertainment industry has been forced into co-productions that serve American audiences first.
• American news cycles shaping Canadian politics – Issues that should be debated through a Canadian lens (economic policy, national security, foreign affairs) are instead framed in terms of American political narratives. This leads to Canadian politicians adopting American-style rhetoric and policies, rather than addressing uniquely Canadian concerns.
• The erosion of Canadian institutions – American neoliberal ideology has infiltrated Canadian governance, leading to the privatization of public assets, deregulation of industries, and the weakening of labor protections—all in line with U.S. economic interests.

The result is that many Canadians no longer even recognize that they are being culturally colonized. They consume American media, internalize American political debates, and adopt American perspectives on global issues. This is not harmless entertainment—it is an ideological occupation.

Conclusion: America’s Invisible Empire

The United States no longer needs to invade Canada with soldiers; it has already conquered the country through economic dependency and cultural domination. Canadians who believe that America is a benevolent ally fail to see the structural mechanisms that keep Canada under U.S. control.

Trump’s tariffs, Biden’s economic nationalism, and the constant pressure for Canada to align with American foreign policy are not isolated events. They are part of a long-term strategy that has existed for decades. Canada is not America’s partner—it is America’s resource depot, economic buffer, and ideological colony.

If Canadians do not recognize this reality and take active steps to break free, they will continue to be at the mercy of an empire that does not see them as equals, but as subjects. The only way forward is to dismantle this system of dependency before Canada’s sovereignty is eroded beyond repair.

IV. Trumpism is a Symptom, Not the Disease

Many Canadians comfort themselves with the belief that Donald Trump is an anomaly—that his belligerence, economic bullying, and outright contempt for Canada are unique to his presidency. This is a dangerous illusion. Trumpism is not a break from American history; it is a manifestation of a deep and enduring American worldview.

From Democratic presidents like Joe Biden enforcing trade protectionism to historical patterns of U.S. interference in Canadian affairs, the reality is clear: America has never accepted Canada as an equal, only as a subject. If Canadians continue to believe that the U.S. is a friendly, cooperative neighbor rather than an imperial power pursuing its own self-interest, they will remain vulnerable to the next, inevitable assault on their sovereignty.

A. Why Canadians Can’t Blame Trump Alone

It is convenient to dismiss Trump as a rogue actor, but the truth is that every U.S. administration, regardless of party, has treated Canada as an extension of American power.

• Joe Biden’s trade protectionism – Despite his “globalist” rhetoric, Biden has maintained Trump’s tariffs on Canadian aluminum and steel, proving that economic warfare against Canada is bipartisan. His administration’s “Buy American” policies have further restricted Canadian access to U.S. markets.
• Barack Obama’s interference in Canadian pipelines – The cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline in 2015, and again under Biden in 2021, was not about environmental protection—it was about ensuring Canadian energy dependence on the U.S.. By killing Canadian energy projects while expanding American oil production, Washington ensures that Canada remains a secondary player in global markets.
• George W. Bush’s post-9/11 security measures – Under the guise of “security cooperation,” Bush forced Canada into the U.S. homeland security infrastructure, restricting Canadian sovereignty over border controls, intelligence-sharing, and military operations.
• The long history of economic blackmail – From Richard Nixon’s 1971 tariffs on Canadian goods to the softwood lumber disputes that have dragged on for decades, U.S. leaders consistently use economic leverage to dictate Canadian policy.

At no point in modern history has any American administration, Republican or Democrat, treated Canada as a fully sovereign state. The United States views Canada as a resource hub, a junior partner in military affairs, and a market to be controlled.

Trump simply says the quiet part out loud.

B. American Literature and Political Thought on Canada

For centuries, American intellectuals and policymakers have discussed Canada not as a permanent neighbor, but as an unfinished project—an extension of the U.S. that has yet to be integrated. This mindset is embedded in American political philosophy.

• Frederick Jackson Turner’s “Frontier Thesis” (1893) – Turner argued that the expansion of American democracy depended on the conquest of frontier lands. While he focused on the West, his ideas implicitly applied to Canada, which was seen as a natural part of the U.S. sphere of expansion.
• Walt Whitman’s vision of a “United America” – The celebrated American poet openly wrote that Canada would eventually be absorbed into the United States, whether through conquest or economic union.
• Modern conservative rhetoric – Right-wing American commentators frequently dismiss Canadian sovereignty as trivial, often joking that Canada is “America’s hat” or an inevitable addition to the Union. This casual dismissal reveals a deeper belief that Canada’s independence is neither real nor permanent.

Even today, U.S. political figures—from Trump to lower-level Republican lawmakers—periodically float the idea of annexation, whether through economic dominance or outright force. While some see this as bluster, it reflects a long-standing American assumption: that Canada’s fate is ultimately tied to American control.

Conclusion: The Next Phase of American Expansionism

Trump is not the disease; he is a symptom. The real disease is the underlying American belief that Canada is not a truly sovereign nation. This belief has shaped U.S. policy for centuries, and it will continue to shape future American actions, regardless of who sits in the White House.

Canadians must abandon the naïve belief that a change in American leadership will lead to better treatment. The hostility, coercion, and condescension Canada faces from the U.S. are not temporary—they are structural. Canada is not dealing with a rogue president; it is dealing with an empire that has never accepted its independence.

If Canadians do not recognize this reality, they will remain vulnerable to the next wave of economic blackmail, political interference, and cultural erasure. It is time to stop blaming Trump and start seeing the bigger picture. The real enemy is not one man—it is the entire American system.

V. The Path Forward: Severing Ties and Preparing for the Inevitable

If history has taught Canada anything, it is that the United States will never allow true Canadian sovereignty. From military invasion attempts in the 19th century to economic coercion in the 20th and 21st centuries, American hostility toward Canada is not an accident—it is a strategic reality. The only viable response is for Canada to take decisive steps to break free from American influence, economically, politically, and culturally.

This is not a call for symbolic resistance or diplomatic posturing. It is a call for concrete, structural change to ensure that Canada is no longer at the mercy of American aggression. To achieve this, Canada must:

1. Diversify its economy and end dependence on U.S. trade
2. Strengthen its military and security infrastructure
3. Rebuild its cultural identity to resist Americanization
4. Treat the U.S. as a rival, not an ally

Each of these steps requires a radical shift in Canadian policy and national identity, but failing to act will only ensure continued subjugation.

A. Economic and Political Decoupling

The first and most urgent step toward true Canadian independence is breaking economic dependency on the United States. As of today, over 75% of Canadian exports go to the U.S., making Canada uniquely vulnerable to American economic blackmail. The U.S. has repeatedly weaponized this dependence through tariffs, trade restrictions, and threats to cut off key industries. Canada must weaponize critical resources, like its massive potash deposits, to kneecap American agriculture.

To counter this, Canada must:

• Expand trade with Europe, Asia, and Latin America – The European Union, China, and emerging markets in Africa and South America offer alternatives to American economic dominance. Canada must aggressively pursue these relationships to reduce reliance on U.S. markets.
• Nationalize or protect strategic industries – Canadian energy, technology, and defense industries must be shielded from American takeover. The U.S. has systematically bought up Canadian companies, ensuring that profits flow south. This must be reversed.
• Strengthen economic alliances outside North America – Canada must invest in multilateral trade agreements that exclude the U.S., ensuring that its economy can thrive without American approval.
• Create an independent currency reserve strategy – The U.S. dollar’s influence over global markets has allowed Washington to dictate financial policy in Canada. Developing alternative currency reserves, possibly in euros or yuan, would provide leverage against American financial manipulation.

These steps will not be easy, but they are necessary. As long as Canada remains economically tied to the U.S., it will never be able to act independently.

B. Strengthening Military and Security Capabilities

Canada’s weak military is a national security risk—not because of foreign adversaries like Russia or China, but because of the United States itself. The belief that the U.S. would never turn on Canada is dangerously naive. If Washington ever decided to force its will militarily, Canada’s current defense capabilities would be utterly insufficient.

To counter this, Canada must:

• Increase defense spending and develop independent military capabilities – The Canadian Armed Forces must be strengthened, not as a junior partner in American-led coalitions, but as a sovereign force capable of defending Canada’s borders.
• Develop advanced deterrence strategies – America respects strength. The only way to prevent U.S. military interference is to ensure that the cost of invasion is too high. This could include asymmetric defense measures, cyber warfare capabilities, and strengthening alliances with other global powers.
• Reduce reliance on NORAD and NATO for defense policy – While cooperation with Western allies is important, Canada must stop acting as a passive participant in American-led military structures. Ottawa must rip up the F-35 contract and buy an alternative airframe like the Gripen.

A strong military is not about aggression—it is about survival. The U.S. only respects nations that can resist its influence. A militarily weak Canada is an easy target.

C. Shifting Canadian Political Identity

Perhaps the most difficult but necessary change is for Canada to reshape its national identity to reject American influence. This does not mean simple anti-American sentiment—it means a fundamental shift in how Canadians view themselves and their role in the world.

For decades, Canadian leaders have governed under the assumption that America is a “big brother” to Canada. This mindset has led to a passive, submissive approach to diplomacy and domestic policy. To break free, Canada must:

• Stop treating American approval as necessary – Canadian policies, from foreign affairs to social programs, should be designed for Canadian interests, not based on what Washington finds acceptable. Most importantly, Canada must prevent American interference in its 2025 Election.
• Rebuild cultural industries to counter American media dominance – The overwhelming presence of American films, TV shows, and news has eroded Canadian identity. Canada must invest in strong domestic media to push back against this cultural occupation.
• Emphasize Canadian nationalism as a survival mechanism – National pride must be rooted in resistance, not deference. Canada should see itself as an independent power, not a U.S. appendage.

This shift will take time, but without it, Canada will remain psychologically subjugated. As long as Canadians see themselves as a junior partner rather than a sovereign nation, American control will persist.

D. Treating the U.S. as a Rival, Not an Ally

The final and most important step is a fundamental reframing of the U.S.-Canada relationship. For too long, Canada has viewed the United States as a partner. It is time to see America for what it truly is: a rival power whose interests are often directly opposed to Canada’s.

This does not mean open hostility—it means adopting a realist foreign policy approach that recognizes American actions as threats, not inconveniences. Canada must:

• Create policies that counteract U.S. economic and political pressure
• Prepare for trade wars as a constant reality rather than an exception
• Build alliances with nations that oppose American unilateralism
• Develop an independent intelligence network to monitor U.S. political and economic strategies

In essence, Canada must act like a country under constant threat—because it is.

Conclusion: Preparing for the Next Battle

The United States is not going to change. The idea that Trump’s departure or a shift in U.S. leadership will improve relations is a fantasy. The real problem is not who sits in the White House—it is the fundamental nature of American power.

The U.S. will continue to pressure Canada economically. It will continue to dominate Canadian culture. It will continue to interfere in Canadian politics. And if necessary, it will use force to assert control.

Canadians can either accept this reality and prepare accordingly, or they can continue to sleepwalk into subjugation. The time for politeness and diplomacy has passed. It is time for Canada to act with the urgency and seriousness that the situation demands.

The U.S. is not a friend. It is a threat. The sooner Canada understands this, the better chance it has of surviving as an independent nation.

VI. Conclusion: No Forgiveness, No Forgetting

For centuries, Canadians have been lulled into a dangerous illusion—that the United States is a friendly neighbor, a natural ally, and a benevolent partner. This belief has persisted despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. The United States has never respected Canada as a sovereign nation. It has always viewed Canada as an extension of its own empire, a resource depot, a junior partner to be controlled, and if necessary, a territory to be absorbed.

Donald Trump’s open hostility toward Canada—his economic warfare, his annexation rhetoric, his use of trade as a weapon—is not a historical outlier. It is a continuation of a long-standing American strategy. The only difference between Trump and his predecessors is that he is louder about it. The policies he has pursued—tariffs, trade blackmail, military pressure—are the same ones that every U.S. administration, Democratic or Republican, has used against Canada for decades.

Canada must never forgive, and never forget.

A. The Myth of American Friendship Must Die

The greatest threat to Canadian sovereignty is not American aggression—it is Canadian naivety. The belief that the United States will ever treat Canada as an equal must be eradicated. Every historical lesson, every economic betrayal, every cultural assault, every political interference points to the same conclusion:

• The War of 1812 showed that America has always seen Canada as territory to be taken.
• The 19th-century annexation attempts proved that U.S. expansionism was not limited to the West.
• The economic coercion of the 20th and 21st centuries demonstrates that America still holds the same imperial mindset.
• Trump’s tariffs, Biden’s trade policies, and Washington’s systematic interference in Canadian affairs confirm that American hostility is permanent.

At every opportunity, the U.S. has sought to undermine, weaken, or control Canada. And yet, despite this, Canada continues to act as if the United States is a friend. This self-delusion must end.

B. The Only Path Forward: Strength and Resistance

Canada’s survival depends on decisive, strategic action. The only way to counter American domination is through:

• Economic independence – Diversifying trade, nationalizing key industries, and severing economic reliance on the U.S.
• Military strength – Building a defense force capable of deterring American aggression.
• Cultural revitalization – Rejecting American narratives, investing in Canadian identity, and resisting cultural imperialism.
• A foreign policy shift – Treating the U.S. as a rival, aligning with powers that counterbalance American influence, and preparing for the next inevitable confrontation.

For too long, Canada has operated under the illusion that being polite, cooperative, and deferential would ensure good relations with the U.S. This is a lie. America does not respect politeness. America respects power.

If Canada does not assert its independence with strength, it will be subjugated.

C. A Warning for the Future

The next chapter of American hostility is already being written. The moment Canada becomes an inconvenience to U.S. interests, the full weight of American power will be turned against it—through economic warfare, political coercion, and possibly even military force. The only question is whether Canada will be ready.

Canadians must never forgive the betrayals of the past. They must never forget the lessons of history. The fight for Canadian sovereignty is not over. It is just beginning.

The time for illusions is over. The time for resistance has begun. No forgiveness. No forgetting. No submission.