International Should Canada join the EU?

[ColemanwastheGOAT]

Am I the only one who thought this dude was gay?

 

[PeterGriffin]

Am I the only one who thought this dude was gay?

Not even sure how you got trapped in that line of thinking to start with.

 

[PeterGriffin]

If Canada joins the US, those tariffs suddenly disappear with no threat of ever returning, and the Chinese tariffs disappear as well. Inter-provincial trade restrictions would disappear. Canada is suddenly protected by the world’s largest military, and its citizens can freely travel the entire continent and have access to the US college system. You join the worlds largest economy, which would only get stronger with the addition of Canada.

If the options are:
Join the EU
or
Join the US

Do you think the EU is capable of discouraging the US or Chinese trade restrictions on Canada? Do you really want to rely on the creation of a mythical EU army to protect Canada, when it isn’t even on the same continent? They can hardly protect themselves without the US, and it seems as if the US is pushing the EU to take care of themselves going forward.

I knows it’s not palatable given the fact Trump is a clown, but if those are the options on the table, then it seems like the best option would be to join the US.

Asking Canadians if they would prefer to be American or European would be the same as asking Canadians if we would rather be retarded or quadraplegic.

We still lose.

There are three countries on this planet that are self-sustainable. Stop acting as if we need anyone at all.

 

[Ares Black]

Not even sure how you got trapped in that line of thinking to start with.

I feel like probably he spends a lot of time thinking about other people's sex lives TBH

 

[Ares Black]

Asking Canadians if they would prefer to be American or European would be the same as asking Canadians if we would rather be retarded or quadraplegic.

We still lose.

There are three countries on this planet that as self-sustainable. Stop acting as if we need anyone at all.

We do need military allies and trading partners.

 

[PeterGriffin]

I've been trying to explain this for months.

Sadly the argument of 'fine leave it the way it is and be living under an Indian majority in 20 years' gets their attention more.

I don't know about that.

Most Indians I have spoken to generally seem to be using Canada as a conduit to the US.

They immigrate here, follow the rules, pay their dues, then off to the good old sunny US of A as soon as they can. If they're following the US's rules on immigration, who are we to stop them from leaving Canada?

It'll be the US's problem in two generations, don't worry about us.

 

[PeterGriffin]

We do need military allies and trading partners.

We absolutely do.

What we DON'T need are rulers or arrogant asshats thinking they can take what they want.

 

[Ares Black]

We absolutely do.

What we DON'T need are rulers or arrogant asshats thinking they can take what they want.

I could not agree more.

 

[MDoza]

Asking Canadians if they would prefer to be American or European would be the same as asking Canadians if we would rather be retarded or quadraplegic.

We still lose.

There are three countries on this planet that as self-sustainable. Stop acting as if we need anyone at all.

A paradigm shift is occurring in global politics.

The US, China, and Russia are consolidating power, and even working together to manipulate the rest of the world in their favor. China and the US through trade (so far), and Russia through military action.

The EU is being pressured into increasing defense spending and forming a unified military as a result of Russia’s invasion and the US signaling their reluctance to continue coming to their defense.

Canada’s dollar has been trending down for decades. If Canada keeps getting fucked by the US and China in trade, what they are feeling now will only get worse.

It’s about 100 year plans at this point. Canada is in discussions with the EU because they know they will need to join someone’s team, or be at the mercy of the other powers.

It just makes little sense to join a coalition of countries across an ocean, that already can’t get their shit together, rather than joining the worlds largest superpower, militarily and economically, that they are most culturally similar to and share a border with.

I get the Trump hate, but it would be short sighted to reject the US in favor of the EU because of a guy that will be gone in a few years. Obviously Canadians want to maintain the status quo, but it seems like they will be forced to chose, and are largely making that decision based on their emotional reaction to one man, rather than through objective analysis of the benefits that each option presents.

 

[Bojka]

A paradigm shift is occurring in global politics.

The US, China, and Russia are consolidating power, and even working together to manipulate the rest of the world in their favor. China and the US through trade (so far), and Russia through military action.

The EU is being pressured into increasing defense spending and forming a unified military as a result of Russia’s invasion and the US signaling their reluctance to continue coming to their defense.

Canada’s dollar has been trending down for decades. If Canada keeps getting fucked by the US and China in trade, what they are feeling now will only get worse.

It’s about 100 year plans at this point. Canada is in discussions with the EU because they know they will need to join someone’s team, or be at the mercy of the other powers.

It just makes little sense to join a coalition of countries across an ocean, that already can’t get their shit together, rather than joining the worlds largest superpower, militarily and economically, that they are most culturally similar to and share a border with.

I get the Trump hate, but it would be short sighted to reject the US in favor of the EU because of a guy that will be gone in a few years. Obviously Canadians want to maintain the status quo, but it seems like they will be forced to chose, and are largely making that decision based on their emotional reaction to one man, rather than through objective analysis of the benefits that each option presents.

The Canadian culture is essentially "we're like America, but more virtuous" and joining the EU is more in line with that. The reality though, is we're like America, but more poor and getting poorer.

 

[Ares Black]

A paradigm shift is occurring in global politics.

The US, China, and Russia are consolidating power, and even working together to manipulate the rest of the world in their favor. China and the US through trade (so far), and Russia through military action.

The EU is being pressured into increasing defense spending and forming a unified military as a result of Russia’s invasion and the US signaling their reluctance to continue coming to their defense.

Canada’s dollar has been trending down for decades. If Canada keeps getting fucked by the US and China in trade, what they are feeling now will only get worse.

It’s about 100 year plans at this point. Canada is in discussions with the EU because they know they will need to join someone’s team, or be at the mercy of the other powers.

It just makes little sense to join a coalition of countries across an ocean, that already can’t get their shit together, rather than joining the worlds largest superpower, militarily and economically, that they are most culturally similar to and share a border with.

I get the Trump hate, but it would be short sighted to reject the US in favor of the EU because of a guy that will be gone in a few years. Obviously Canadians want to maintain the status quo, but it seems like they will be forced to chose, and are largely making that decision based on their emotional reaction to one man, rather than through objective analysis of the benefits that each option presents.

Trump has made it impossible to accept any sort of partnership. Once his regime has been replaced by a more reasonable government can talk about repairing the damage he has done to our relationship.

But his threats and insults and rhetoric is a deal breaker. We cannot work with a man like Donald Trump. It is a non-starter.

 

[MDoza]

Trump has made it impossible to accept any sort of partnership. Once his regime has been replaced by a more reasonable government can talk about repairing the damage he has done to our relationship.

But his threats and insults and rhetoric is a deal breaker. We cannot work with a man like Donald Trump. It is a non-starter.

I didn’t vote for him, so don’t take this as me being a supporter, but the main issue is that he’s has sound reasoning on some of these topics, and recognizes that he’s speaking from the position of power.

He knows Canada will need to align themselves with someone, and he knows that the US has everything to offer compared to the EU.

The EU is already facing its own struggles. The US is (rightfully) pressing each country to at least meet the 2% of GDP NATO contribution requirements.

Canada is one of the countries that has failed to do meet even that, and is scrambling to increase defense spending by nearly 50% by 2027 to just meet the 2%.

Worst case scenario though, if the US decides to leave NATO, each country, including Canada, will have to contribute even more.

Then, when you factor in Trumps comments on the US, China, and Russia all cutting defense spending in half, it just amplifies things even more.

You are potentially looking at the EU/NATO countries having to drastically increase their defense spending, while US, Russia, China all agree to cut spending in half.

The US and China have already seemingly teamed up to use their trade power against Canada. Imagine the trade power they would have over the EU+Canada if those countries had to suddenly overhaul their economies and double (or more) their defense spending. The US and Chinese economies are simply too strong when working together, and they have all of the negotiating power.

So, Canada might end up contributing a lot of money to the defense of Europe, while not even getting great defense themselves on account of every other member being across an ocean. Meanwhile the US and China continue to kill them with tariffs.

OR they could join the US, gain access to, and strengthen, the largest military and economy in the world, and be immune to the tremendous trade pressure that the US and China hold. End interprovincial trade, gain full access to travel the entire continent, have access to US colleges, enjoy the strength of the US dollar…

Again, I am not a Trump supporter. It’s just clear that the global landscape is changing.
Jinping, Trump, and Putin are getting old, and they are egomaniacs. They are making pushes to achieve their goals, and they have seemingly decided to help each other help themselves. The globe cannot stop them, so at this point, it’s about everyone positioning themselves for what will be best for their people for the next several generations. I simply think the EU is not in a great spot, and joining right now would be disastrous for Canadians.

 

[Ares Black]

I didn’t vote for him, so don’t take this as me being a supporter, but the main issue is that he’s has sound reasoning on some of these topics, and recognizes that he’s speaking from the position of power.

He knows Canada will need to align themselves with someone, and he knows that the US has everything to offer compared to the EU.

The EU is already facing its own struggles. The US is (rightfully) pressing each country to at least meet the 2% of GDP NATO contribution requirements.

Canada is one of the countries that has failed to do meet even that, and is scrambling to increase defense spending by nearly 50% by 2027 to just meet the 2%.

Worst case scenario though, if the US decides to leave NATO, each country, including Canada, will have to contribute even more.

Then, when you factor in Trumps comments on the US, China, and Russia all cutting defense spending in half, it just amplifies things even more.

You are potentially looking at the EU/NATO countries having to drastically increase their defense spending, while US, Russia, China all agree to cut spending in half.

The US and China have already seemingly teamed up to use their trade power against Canada. Imagine the trade power they would have over the EU+Canada if those countries had to suddenly double (or more) their defense spending. The US and Chinese economies are simply too strong when working together, and they have all of the negotiating power.

Canada might end up contributing a lot of money to the defense of Europe, while not even getting great defense themselves on account of every other member being across an ocean. Meanwhile the US and China continue to kill them either way tariffs.

OR they could join the US, gain access to, and strengthen, the largest military and economy in the world, and be immune to the tremendous trade pressure that the US and China hold. End interprovincial trade, gain full access to travel the entire continent, have access to US colleges, enjoy the strength of the US dollar.

Again, I am not a Trump supporter. It’s just clear that the global landscape is changing.
Jinping, Trump, and Putin are getting old, and they are egomaniacs. They are making pushes to achieve their goals, and they have seemingly decided to help each other help themselves. The globe cannot stop them, so at this point, it’s about everyone positioning themselves for what will be best for their people for the next several generations. I simply think the EU is not in a great spot, and joining right now would be disastrous for Canadians.

We are not joining the EU, and we are not joining the US.

We are strengthening our international alliances in the hope that we can avoid being annexed by the United States for long enough for the government to be replaced by one we can work with.

I really don't think people in the United States understand how Canadians are perceiving this act of aggression from Trump. We see it as an existential threat to our sovereignty and we will not work with Trump, ever.

 

[PeterGriffin]

I didn’t vote for him, so don’t take this as me being a supporter, but the main issue is that he’s has sound reasoning on some of these topics, and recognizes that he’s speaking from the position of power.

He knows Canada will need to align themselves with someone, and he knows that the US has everything to offer compared to the EU.

The EU is already facing its own struggles. The US is (rightfully) pressing each country to at least meet the 2% of GDP NATO contribution requirements.

Canada is one of the countries that has failed to do meet even that, and is scrambling to increase defense spending by nearly 50% by 2027 to just meet the 2%.

Worst case scenario though, if the US decides to leave NATO, each country, including Canada, will have to contribute even more.

Then, when you factor in Trumps comments on the US, China, and Russia all cutting defense spending in half, it just amplifies things even more.

You are potentially looking at the EU/NATO countries having to drastically increase their defense spending, while US, Russia, China all agree to cut spending in half.

The US and China have already seemingly teamed up to use their trade power against Canada. Imagine the trade power they would have over the EU+Canada if those countries had to suddenly overhaul their economies and double (or more) their defense spending. The US and Chinese economies are simply too strong when working together, and they have all of the negotiating power.

So, Canada might end up contributing a lot of money to the defense of Europe, while not even getting great defense themselves on account of every other member being across an ocean. Meanwhile the US and China continue to kill them with tariffs.

OR they could join the US, gain access to, and strengthen, the largest military and economy in the world, and be immune to the tremendous trade pressure that the US and China hold. End interprovincial trade, gain full access to travel the entire continent, have access to US colleges, enjoy the strength of the US dollar…

Again, I am not a Trump supporter. It’s just clear that the global landscape is changing.
Jinping, Trump, and Putin are getting old, and they are egomaniacs. They are making pushes to achieve their goals, and they have seemingly decided to help each other help themselves. The globe cannot stop them, so at this point, it’s about everyone positioning themselves for what will be best for their people for the next several generations. I simply think the EU is not in a great spot, and joining right now would be disastrous for Canadians.

Pfffft.... the hit on our reputation alone for joining the US is as equally disastrous as Canada joining the EU.

Do Americans think they are the only country that is patriotic? If I suggested the US join North Korea for whatever bullshit reason I thought sounded good, you would (and rightfully so) tell me to fuck off.

Canada should join in on your (becoming ours) massive defense spending? Interesting sales pitch. And we cannot possibly increase our defense spending by 50% by '27. Not a chance.

Honestly, the US picking fights with Canada and Mexico is fucking stupid, because we will be the first two countries you turn to for help when the US finally bites off more than it can chew. I think what we are more likely to see is a new wave of European immigrants arriving here if Europe gets too hairy and tense. Being part of the Commonwealth helps in that regard.

Russia and China won't reduce military spending because the US wants them to. They are arming themselves to keep them safe from the US. And given the US's aggressive foreign policy lately, that's all the more reason NOT to slash spending or munitions. The US asking them to come to the table to even discuss that in the first place? Telling. Russia and China aren't broke anymore, so the US won't be waiting them out.

US won't reduce military spending because, frankly at this point... you can't. I know that, you know that, Russia knows that, Belgium knows that, and most certainly, China knows that. The US has pissed in almost everyone's sandbox, and fears retaliation. The fact that Trump has most Americans believing that Canada or Mexico is a threat to your country is astounding.

And no worries if Canada ends up having to contribute or sacrifice a little bit of blood, sweat or finances in defense of Europe, it won't be the first time, would it? I can confidently say that in that event, Canada wouldn't wait until the last minute either.

 

[MDoza]

Pfffft.... the hit on our reputation alone for joining the US is as equally disastrous as Canada joining the EU.

Do Americans think they are the only country that is patriotic? If I suggested the US join North Korea for whatever bullshit reason I thought sounded good, you would (and rightfully so) tell me to fuck off.

Canada should join in on your (becoming ours) massive defense spending? Interesting sales pitch. And we cannot possibly increase our defense spending by 50% by '27. Not a chance.

Honestly, the US picking fights with Canada and Mexico is fucking stupid, because we will be the first two countries you turn to for help when the US finally bites off more than it can chew. I think what we are more likely to see is a new wave of European immigrants arriving here if Europe gets too hairy and tense. Being part of the Commonwealth helps in that regard.

Russia and China won't reduce military spending because the US wants them to. They are arming themselves to keep them safe from the US. And given the US's aggressive foreign policy lately, that's all the more reason NOT to slash spending or munitions. The US asking them to come to the table to even discuss that in the first place? Telling. Russia and China aren't broke anymore, so the US won't be waiting them out.

US won't reduce military spending because, frankly at this point... you can't. I know that, you know that, Russia knows that, Belgium knows that, and most certainly, China knows that. The US has pissed in almost everyone's sandbox, and fears retaliation. The fact that Trump has most Americans believing that Canada or Mexico is a threat to your country is astounding.

And no worries if Canada ends up having to contribute or sacrifice a little bit of blood, sweat or finances in defense of Europe, it won't be the first time, would it? I can confidently say that in that event, Canada wouldn't wait until the last minute either.

If the US is no longer contributing to NATO and cuts its own defense spending by 50%, why do you think Canada would "join in massive defense spending" if they joined the US? If anything, the provinces would no longer have to spend the 2% of their GDP that they were giving to NATO, and their military upkeep would be all but covered by the US.

Canadian defense minister seems to think you can hit 2% by 2027

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/defence-spending-two-percent-defence-spending-target-1.7440870

Why can't America decrease defense spending? The era of protecting Europe seems to be over, so they don't need to spend on that anymore. Other than that, two concerns on America's mind were always China and Russia. Russia is more than occupied with Ukraine, they have proven themselves much less of a threat than what was thought before the war, and they will take a long time to fully economically recover. It's clear that the US isn't ever going to send its own troops to stop Russia, and when China invades Taiwan they won't send troops there either. After that, what is the point of having an army of that size? Russia and China will have achieved their goals, so they can reduce military spending as well, if the US also does. That's why Trump publicly made the statement.

The US fears retaliation? Militarily? From who? America has an ocean separating them from any threat, and the biggest, most powerful Navy and Air Force in the world. No one is going to attack America because America told them to pay their own bills for once.

Trump is focused on trade deficits, which is why he targeted Canada and Mexico. No one in America really has any interest in Canada or Mexico aside from slowing immigration at the southern border and stopping drug smuggling.

Other than that, it's just a simple fact that the US controlling Canada and Greenland would secure the entire Western Atlantic and Arctic Circle and gain access to more natural resources, but not even conservatives in America really take Trump seriously when he talks about it.

 

[curryjunkie]

This thread is gold..

 

[SandisLL]

Unfortunately they have declared a trade war on us and the current administration is completely retarded and erratic.

No thanks.

Trade war had declared pump not EU and sorry, EU taxpayers and voters doesn't needs overpriced U.S weapons ...nor U.S alco etc...

Mythical protection? Please piss off today. U.S administrstion does fear even from North Korea.

 

[SandisLL]

I didn’t vote for him, so don’t take this as me being a supporter, but the main issue is that he’s has sound reasoning on some of these topics, and recognizes that he’s speaking from the position of power.

He knows Canada will need to align themselves with someone, and he knows that the US has everything to offer compared to the EU.

The EU is already facing its own struggles. The US is (rightfully) pressing each country to at least meet the 2% of GDP NATO contribution requirements.

Canada is one of the countries that has failed to do meet even that, and is scrambling to increase defense spending by nearly 50% by 2027 to just meet the 2%.

Worst case scenario though, if the US decides to leave NATO, each country, including Canada, will have to contribute even more.

Then, when you factor in Trumps comments on the US, China, and Russia all cutting defense spending in half, it just amplifies things even more.

You are potentially looking at the EU/NATO countries having to drastically increase their defense spending, while US, Russia, China all agree to cut spending in half.

The US and China have already seemingly teamed up to use their trade power against Canada. Imagine the trade power they would have over the EU+Canada if those countries had to suddenly overhaul their economies and double (or more) their defense spending. The US and Chinese economies are simply too strong when working together, and they have all of the negotiating power.

So, Canada might end up contributing a lot of money to the defense of Europe, while not even getting great defense themselves on account of every other member being across an ocean. Meanwhile the US and China continue to kill them with tariffs.

OR they could join the US, gain access to, and strengthen, the largest military and economy in the world, and be immune to the tremendous trade pressure that the US and China hold. End interprovincial trade, gain full access to travel the entire continent, have access to US colleges, enjoy the strength of the US dollar…

Again, I am not a Trump supporter. It’s just clear that the global landscape is changing.
Jinping, Trump, and Putin are getting old, and they are egomaniacs. They are making pushes to achieve their goals, and they have seemingly decided to help each other help themselves. The globe cannot stop them, so at this point, it’s about everyone positioning themselves for what will be best for their people for the next several generations. I simply think the EU is not in a great spot, and joining right now would be disastrous for Canadians.

EU does have caitalism and global businesses like U.S too.
Definitely they doesn't need any mytical protection from country living in fear from North Korea ( this is real life ) not alone that european voters and taxpayers are tired to pay for weapons sold by ppl living in reap fear.... yes...


There might be negotiations with the same Canada, China etc....about tariffs and so on.

World doesn't live in dreams and isn't ready nor to waste taxpayers money nor time to be used by loosers like Kurds, South Vietam or Aganistan etc.

Forget this....

Hegemony is gone. Cope.

 

[SandisLL]

If the US is no longer contributing to NATO and cuts its own defense spending by 50%, why do you think Canada would "join in massive defense spending" if they joined the US? If anything, the provinces would no longer have to spend the 2% of their GDP that they were giving to NATO, and their military upkeep would be all but covered by the US.

Canadian defense minister seems to think you can hit 2% by 2027

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/defence-spending-two-percent-defence-spending-target-1.7440870

Why can't America decrease defense spending? The era of protecting Europe seems to be over, so they don't need to spend on that anymore. Other than that, two concerns on America's mind were always China and Russia. Russia is more than occupied with Ukraine, they have proven themselves much less of a threat than what was thought before the war, and they will take a long time to fully economically recover. It's clear that the US isn't ever going to send its own troops to stop Russia, and when China invades Taiwan they won't send troops there either. After that, what is the point of having an army of that size? Russia and China will have achieved their goals, so they can reduce military spending as well, if the US also does. That's why Trump publicly made the statement.

The US fears retaliation? Militarily? From who? America has an ocean separating them from any threat, and the biggest, most powerful Navy and Air Force in the world. No one is going to attack America because America told them to pay their own bills for once.

Trump is focused on trade deficits, which is why he targeted Canada and Mexico. No one in America really has any interest in Canada or Mexico aside from slowing immigration at the southern border and stopping drug smuggling.

Other than that, it's just a simple fact that the US controlling Canada and Greenland would secure the entire Western Atlantic and Arctic Circle and gain access to more natural resources, but not even conservatives in America really take Trump seriously when he talks about it.

America is financial parasite and really will taste.
You are pump dreamer...

You most likely are recieving paychecks or benefits, maybe some money from gambling etc and looks that aren't interested in global economy reality.


For posters like you looks that businesses are country, there is communism, everything is gov owned property and you are trading with country ....and tariffs will pay not you but mythical communists somewhere...


Real fun.
It is really fun to talk with peace of wall.
According to your mindset if company registered in Canadsla, maybe by 50% co owned by holy americans will sell company registered in U.S and owned by holy americans..
They will pay tariffs and will be happy...MAGA.

Average MAGA voter anway will tink that these tariffs will pay not he but mythical guys somewhere....sure.....dreamers...


About protection from U.S = please piss off and stop also to sell overpriced weapons.
North Korea is better cos does have balls...not only money hungry mouths.

 

[SandisLL]

" protecting europe " by instructing them how to think and overpriced weapons sales from country reluctant to deal with North Korea.

Reduce defense spendings looks just propaganda.
Trump told that U.S should develop modern missile defense systems....to protect U S.
If he will do this, defense spendings will...increase...