Trump’s Rage at Canada Gets Darker as GOPers Admit to Rising “Anxiety”
Feb 3, 2025
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In a compelling discussion, Cathy Young, a staff writer at The Bulwark, delves into Trump’s unsettling tariffs and erratic behavior towards Canada. She highlights the alarming trends of anxiety among Republicans regarding Trump's presidency and examines the authoritarian tendencies emerging within the party. Young critiques the zero-sum mentality in U.S.-Canada relations and discusses the chilling effects of the 'America First' policy on corporate dissent. This moment, she argues, is increasingly perilous for American politics.
Trump's tariffs are expected to dramatically increase prices on essential goods, highlighting a significant economic burden on his voter base.
The rising anxiety within the GOP over Trump's actions reflects a complex challenge for party leaders in addressing voter discontent and authoritarian tactics.
Deep dives
The Economic Impact of Tariffs
The implementation of tariffs by President Trump is expected to significantly raise prices on essential goods, affecting everyday items such as food, gas, and cars. Trump's remarks that the short-term pain will be worth it highlight a troubling disregard for the economic consequences on his own voter base, who may bear the brunt of these financial burdens. Additionally, this move poses a complex challenge for Republican leaders like Marco Rubio, who seem taken aback by the drastic measures taken by Trump, which undermine their previous expectations that tariffs would not be enacted. As a result, there may be a reckoning within the GOP regarding how to address the fallout and the discomfort among their constituents.
A Victim Mentality in Trade Relations
Trump's rhetoric reflects a victim mentality regarding U.S. trade with Canada, where he exaggerates the notion of America being taken advantage of, suggesting dire consequences for Canada if certain demands are not met. His claim that Canada should become the 51st state if it doesn't comply illustrates a concerning layer of economic coercion, heightening tensions in international relations. This assertion parallels the divisive tactics employed by authoritarian figures, where perceived weakness is viewed as an opportunity for exploitation. The lack of specific demands from Trump further emphasizes this bullying approach, instead relying on vague accusations about issues like drug trafficking without substantive evidence.
Corporate Leaders and Political Anxiety
The political climate created by Trump's actions has rendered corporate leaders increasingly apprehensive, particularly in how they might react to his economic policies and threats against dissent. Issues surrounding censorship by leveraging the state against media figures have led to a chilling effect on free speech within business circles. For instance, the Wall Street Journal's critical stance on Trump's tariffs signals a notable shift that other media outlets may consider as they navigate their own positions. Ultimately, the balancing act between maintaining corporate interests and opposing Trump’s increasingly authoritarian strategies may compel corporate leaders to respond more vocally to the pressures exerted by their business communities.
After President Donald Trump announced 25 percent tariffs on most goods from Canada and Mexico and 10 percent tariffs on China, he unleashed some angry, ranting tweets about the move, with his ire at Canada growing particularly unsettling. This comes amid new indications that many Republicans are suffering high “anxiety” about Trump’s presidency. So what is the likelihood that Trump’s allies in the GOP and the corporate world will step up and challenge this madness? We talked to Cathy Young, a staff writer at The Bulwark who’s written on these issues, about why the very fact that Trump seems so unhinged and unshackled could lead them to muzzle themselves—and why that makes this moment more perilous.