As political tensions between Canada and the United States intensify, citizens on both sides of the border are beginning to feel the economic impact of deteriorating relations.
A viral social media post featuring a Canadian café’s satirical “Trump Sandwich” has resurfaced amid the growing trade dispute. The sandwich, which features “white bread, full of baloney, with Russian dressing and a small pickle,” has struck a chord with many as trade hostilities escalate.
The current conflict traces back to February when President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing significant tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China. The order implemented a 25 percent tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico and a 10 percent tax on Chinese imports, justified as a measure to “hold China, Mexico and Canada accountable for their promises to halt the flood of poisonous drugs into the US.”
The situation has since intensified, with Trump threatening Canadian dairy farmers with a potential 241 percent tariff on exports to the US. In response, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced retaliatory measures targeting American consumers, including a 25 percent surcharge on electricity exports to the United States.
“We will apply maximum pressure to maximize our leverage,” Ford stated at a March 10 press conference. “For the 1.5 million American homes and businesses that Ontario powers in Minnesota, Michigan, and New York, this surcharge will cost families and businesses in these states up to $400,000 dollars each and every single day.”
The electricity surcharge is expected to add approximately $100 per month to the utility bills of affected American households and businesses, directly impacting consumers in border states that rely on Ontario’s power grid.
As the diplomatic row continues, the 2016 “Trump Sandwich” post has found renewed relevance. The tongue-in-cheek menu item has garnered reactions from both sides of the political spectrum, with one social media user commenting: “As an American I absolutely love this!” while another noted: “I’m a Trump guy, but I’ll give it to you, this is solid.”
With both countries implementing measures that directly affect consumers, ordinary citizens on both sides of the border appear poised to bear the brunt of this escalating trade dispute.