YORKTON - Trying to understand what United States president Donald Trump is trying to accomplish is beyond this scribe.
Trump’s plans seem to come to be understood only by him, with increasing evidence even he has no idea as he changes direction more often than weather changes on the Canadian Prairies.
However, all the wishy-washy blustering from Trump does leave one wondering how any country can think it can thrive in isolation these days?
Certainly, the United States has also been something of a navel-gazing nation, interested in influencing other nations either financially, or militarily only if it benefits their own interests, but those interests would seem best served participating with other countries on a level above hostility.
Currently the outrageous tariffs and near daily rants against anyone who happens to suggest Trump is in error on any level, does little in terms of being a positive world influence.
While perhaps years past being widely likely internationally, the United States has at least been generally respected, even if that has been begrudgingly for some.
Under Trump that respect has slipped away, and even if the Republicans lose the next election it is likely to take years to regain the standing the country once had internationally.
In the mean time the business of trade – agriculture production included – will continue.
However, the paths of trade are changing.
Trump’s blustering is creating new trade alliances, partnerships, and deals, which are not including the US.
How that is good news for American farm producers, or industry is general is baffling.
Population growth is not in North America.
There are however growing populations in China, India, across Africa and other nations, and that means growing demand for food and all manner of other things, from clothes to entertainment. It would therefore seem highly logical to embrace trade with those countries to ensure access to those markets.
Trump seems completely unconcerned with whether the US sells anything beyond its borders.
Certainly in Canada where we can produce far in excess of what we consume across a vast range of farm products, we embrace the need to promote trade.
While ‘free trade’ by the broadest definition may always be a mirage, there will be roadblocks and restrictions to trade regardless of how much we might covet that free flow, but we still need to work diligently to create access as best we can.
There is a world out there needing food and other products, and it is much bigger than the US. It is that larger world Canada needs to focus on as Trump continues his unfathomable trade rhetoric.
