this post was submitted on 24 Jan 2025
262 points (98.2% liked)

World News

32862 readers
395 users here now

News from around the world!

Rules:

founded 5 years ago
MODERATORS
 

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/24657192

Summary

In a virtual speech at the World Economic Forum, Trump suggested Canada could become a U.S. state to avoid his proposed tariffs on imports.

The remark elicited gasps from the audience.

Trump claimed the U.S. does not need Canadian lumber, energy, or vehicles, vastly overstating the trade deficit between the two nations.

He reiterated his intention to impose tariffs, potentially as high as 25%, on imports from Canada and Mexico starting February 1.

Economists warn such tariffs would raise prices for U.S. consumers.

(page 3) 36 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] Cryan24@lemmy.world 3 points 6 days ago (1 children)

He's about to fuck around and find out...

load more comments (1 replies)
[–] tiredturtle@lemmy.ml 0 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

Democracy is demagogue-prone. That’s a disease to which electoral systems are vulnerable. Yet demagogues are easy to identify. They gesture a lot and speak with pulpit rhythms, using words that ring of religious fervor and god-fearing sincerity.

The practice can always be detected by anyone who learns the signs: Repetition. Great attempts to keep your attention on words. You must pay no attention to words. Watch what the person does. That way you learn the motives.

They create a system where most people are dissatisfied, vaguely or deeply. This builds up widespread feelings of vindictive anger. Then they supply targets for that anger as they need them—as distraction. Don't give time to question.

They bury mistakes in more laws. Traffic in illusion. Bullring tactics. Wave the pretty cape. People will charge it and be confused when there's no matador behind the thing. That dulls the electorate just as it dulls the bull.

Fewer people use their vote intelligently next time.

There appears to be a rule of nature that says it's almost impossible for self-serving groups to act enlightened, flowing with the forces of life, adjusting your actions that life may continue. With the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number, of course.

The risks of democracy and how to prevent them paraphrased from Dune.

Apparent everywhere, Trump is just one in this path of centuries.

Focus on actions, not promises, and unite against inequality and division. Systems should be simple, transparent, and work for everyone, not just the wealthy or powerful. Educating and organizing workers, holding leaders accountable, and building solidarity across all groups are essential for achieving fairness. Lasting change comes from addressing root causes, not chasing temporary fixes.

Maybe the next century will show results somewhere.

[–] ikidd@lemmy.world 0 points 5 days ago

Oh, boy, what you've got going on looks like so much fun, how could we want to miss out?

[–] LovableSidekick@lemmy.world -3 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (9 children)

Four more years of this shit. But oh well, it's worth it if it spared a few people of superior moral integrity from compromising their principles to vote for Harris when she didn't measure up to their requirements and the Democrats didn't run a good enough campaign and besides it was kind of cold that day and it would have meant putting on pants.

load more comments (9 replies)
[–] lorty@lemmygrad.ml 0 points 6 days ago

I personally think this is bravado to negotiate something more realistic, although if he really wanted to it's unlikely Canada would resist.

load more comments
view more: ‹ prev next ›