Why the Aluminum Tariffs Matter To Me.......

I live a very quiet life in Winnipeg.  I have never worked in a manufacturing industry.  I have never had an import/export business.  The closest tie that I have to the energy sector is that I was named after a gas station.  I use aluminum foil to wrap my potatoes to put them on the barbeque.  That is literally all I know about aluminum, which is probably not even the aluminum that is subject to Trump's new tariffs.  So, why do I care about these new tariffs?  As we most things, it is just a metaphor for something bigger.

Anyone who has been in a relationship knows that there is inevitably conflict.  Conflict does not end relationships.  It is the inability of people to negotiate a solution to the conflict that ends relationships.

I have had a lot of relationships end because we couldn't negotiate a solution to a conflict.  But, if I am being honest, it was not because of the conflict, it was because I was negotiating in bad faith.  It's true and it has been done to me just as often.  The relationship has run the course, but I don't want it to end for no reason.  So, I pick a fight and it doesn't matter what is said or done, it won't be good enough.  I am negotiating in bad faith.  I could say, "if you don't feed me grapes while I am sitting on a lilly pad, it is over."  And, if for some reason, my bluff is called and I end up on a lilly pad eating grapes, I will move the bar again.  "Oh, I meant unless you feed me pealed grapes while I am sitting on a lilly pad suspended 6 feet above air, it is over."  See, I will just keep moving the air so it unobtainable.  Negotiating in bad faith.

If you ever been involved in labour negotiations, you know that "negotiating in bad faith" is a very real thing and in addition to being unethical, it is legally wrong, and can result in consequences like fines.

These new tariffs imposed by Trump are essentially an example of negotiating in good faith.  If you recall, when Trump was elected, he announced that NAFTA was a horrible deal and Canada and Mexico were taking advantage of the largest economy of the world, but especially Canada.  He had to be restrained to not tear it up until a new deal could be negotiated.  Negotiations began for a new trade deal and it was proceeding nicely.  Too nicely, for Trump, apparently.  His Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was being too reasonable so he fired him.  Negotiations had to start again.  It has been a long process.  Our Hon. Chrystia Freeland had to balance expectations from Canada to stick it to them and expectations from Trump that she agree to whatever was in the worst interest of Canada.  It only took about three years but then there was an agreement.  Finally, the three countries could focus on other things. Probably, the most important thing was that NAFTA was replaced by USMCA.  Important to Trump, of course. Finally, it was ratified.

A few scant months later, in the midst of a global pandemic, Trump announces new tariffs on Canadian aluminum. 

The tariffs matter immensely to that industry, but, they should matter to all of us.  They are indicative that Trump is bargaining in bad faith.  Why did we just spend years and millions negotiating a new trade agreement if he was going to do whatever he wanted anyway.  He gets away with this, the more slippery the slope. 

There is so much we need to pay attention to but we need to.  These things matter to all of us, or they will.  We can not overlook this man who has no intention in bargaining in good faith.

#vote