On the backs of other people

I can't get this out of my head. The leader of the country to the south filed for bankrupty four times by way of Chapter 11. Actually, there may have been more but some properties were lumped together. Throughout each of those processes he came out with huge assets while those who had done his bidding were not paid. The losses were great for others, including shareholders...but not for him. He saw this as a clever business practice. He could go on with no concern that other people paid the price of his lack of business savvy.

Just catching the latest blurb in the news or checking one of his many tweets gives solid clues that there is only one focus for Donald Trump. That focus is Donald Trump. The man consistently turns any news happening back to his most recent peeve...how the news or others in government are doing him wrong.

Let me say this again. The man filed Chapter 11...or bankruptcy... four times. Yet, he is the one who is directing the finances of the United States. He is also calling the shots regarding trading with other countries...and now directing the policies of his country regarding tariffs. Those with very real understanding of economics are warning him that the continued decline of unemployment over the past 10 years will be undone if he messes with trade agreements – and insists on extreme tariffs.

Trump is quick to take credit for the decline in unemployment but any economist will point out that the consistent upswing in that economy over the those years was based on momentum. Once a movement starts it tends to continue...unless there is some idiotic interference, such as tariffs, which circumvents that upswing.

But what the heck...Donald Trump is a financial genius, at least in his vision of himself. So who will pay the price if his proposed tariffs are put in place? It will certainly be those connected with the auto industry and aeronautical industry in the states. These are two large industries but not the only industries to be affected.

Our Prime Minister is no longer playing the nice guy who hails from the polite country. Actually Justin Trudeau's rhetoric was still stereotypically polite, but he made himself clear. He also spoke for many in this country who are fed up with Trump tantrums.

So how will we be affected by these tariffs? According to business news reports we will not be suffering. Steel and aluminum make up a small portion of our trade with the United States and since that country does not produce all they need...particularly regarding aluminum...it will be the consumers there who will pay for the tariffs. That has already occurred with lumber.

Canadians understand that we live in a global community - and in a global economy. There are many other countries who make good use of our products. We are a country with tremendous resources. Prime Minister Trudeau has fired back with tariffs on U.S. exports. I suspect we can do without orange juice from the U.S. The best tasting oranges I found came from Africa. Motorboats and whiskey can be had from other sources. Canada can do a whole lot more back and forth dealing with other allies.

I could be wrong...but I can't help but think that Donald Trump is playing a role, and maybe has always played a role...as in his TV show. That role is that of a tough, hard-dealing financial genius. A role does not always equal reality.

Shirley Hallee is a freelance writer living in Amherst. Her column appears weekly in the Amherst News.