4 ms·

We're talking about different things. The French withdrawal from NATO unified command is a good example of what it means to say relationships can't just be repa

We're talking about different things. The French withdrawal from NATO unified command is a good example of what it means to say relationships can't just be repaired; it took 43 years to bring them back! It's true that the news can overstate just how much things have changed. The US and Canada remain major trade partners and strong allies, with NORAD currently in the middle of a week-long joint exercise, and it's unlikely that's going to change. But you should not expect a return to friendly trade relations in 2029.

ericmay 2mo ago
But they can be repaired. The OP claimed: > Other administrations will not be able to repair the damage So if you disagree with them you should reply to them and let them know the damage can be repaired.
- SpicyLemonZest 2mo ago
  Again, we're talking about different things. What the OP understands "repair the damage" to mean, which I know because I've seen the expectation myself in the wild, is that the next administration can restore the 2024 status quo by just going on a really compelling apology tour. I don't think that's likely; we're still going to see Canadians boycotting random consumer goods, Europeans demanding that everyone should move off American tech ASAP, and countries in general being a lot less willing to negotiate for trade agreements the Americans can't credibly promise to keep.
  - ericmay 2mo ago
    Their lack of specificity does not invalidate my comment. > and countries in general being a lot less willing to negotiate for trade agreements the Americans can't credibly promise to keep. We have a lot of trade deals and have created new ones while Trump has been in office. Countries have willingly negotiated with us and us with them. What you are writing is ideological wishful thinking, not what is reflected in reality.
    - ben_w 2mo ago
      > We have a lot of trade deals and have created new ones while Trump has been in office. Countries have willingly negotiated with us and us with them. What you are writing is ideological wishful thinking, not what is reflected in reality. Those trade deals aren't worth the paper they're written on while Trump is around. Everybody is aware of this, the only difference is that Trump seems to think he's the only one who knows.
      - ericmay 2mo ago
        > Those trade deals aren't worth the paper they're written on while Trump is around. Everybody is aware of this, the only difference is that Trump seems to think he's the only one who knows. But they are still real trade deals, the rules are still followed, &c. Your personal distaste for Donald Trump (I believe he belongs in jail and didn't vote for him either time) doesn't change that fact.
        ben_w 2mo ago
        > But they are still real trade deals, the rules are still followed, &c. No, that's the point, they're not. > Your personal distaste for Donald Trump (I believe he belongs in jail and didn't vote for him either time) doesn't change that fact. Same in reverse. He could be everyone's favourite uncle and it would still be rendering the US's word worthless. Me, I'm not eligible to vote for him, what with having repeatedly turned down opportunities to move to the USA, the most recent occasion of which having been in 2016 specifically due to him having won.
        ericmay 2mo ago
        > No, that's the point, they're not. Do you want me to quote formal trade agreements that were made or are you able to just do a Google search yourself and see? > Same in reverse. He could be everyone's favourite uncle and it would still be rendering the US's word worthless. Ok our word is worthless and all that stuff so who cares then what anyone in Europe or whatever thinks. Oh well so sad we should withdraw from NATO immediately, send troops back to the US, and remove sanctions on Russia so we can bring down gas prices - who cares what Europe thinks since our word is worthless and all. Guess we'll just have to keep doing whatever we're doing.

ericmay 2mo ago

But they can be repaired. The OP claimed: > Other administrations will not be able to repair the damage So if you disagree with them you should reply to them and let them know the damage can be repaired.

SpicyLemonZest 2mo ago
Again, we're talking about different things. What the OP understands "repair the damage" to mean, which I know because I've seen the expectation myself in the wild, is that the next administration can restore the 2024 status quo by just going on a really compelling apology tour. I don't think that's likely; we're still going to see Canadians boycotting random consumer goods, Europeans demanding that everyone should move off American tech ASAP, and countries in general being a lot less willing to negotiate for trade agreements the Americans can't credibly promise to keep.
- ericmay 2mo ago
  Their lack of specificity does not invalidate my comment. > and countries in general being a lot less willing to negotiate for trade agreements the Americans can't credibly promise to keep. We have a lot of trade deals and have created new ones while Trump has been in office. Countries have willingly negotiated with us and us with them. What you are writing is ideological wishful thinking, not what is reflected in reality.
  - ben_w 2mo ago
    > We have a lot of trade deals and have created new ones while Trump has been in office. Countries have willingly negotiated with us and us with them. What you are writing is ideological wishful thinking, not what is reflected in reality. Those trade deals aren't worth the paper they're written on while Trump is around. Everybody is aware of this, the only difference is that Trump seems to think he's the only one who knows.
    - ericmay 2mo ago
      > Those trade deals aren't worth the paper they're written on while Trump is around. Everybody is aware of this, the only difference is that Trump seems to think he's the only one who knows. But they are still real trade deals, the rules are still followed, &c. Your personal distaste for Donald Trump (I believe he belongs in jail and didn't vote for him either time) doesn't change that fact.
      - ben_w 2mo ago
        > But they are still real trade deals, the rules are still followed, &c. No, that's the point, they're not. > Your personal distaste for Donald Trump (I believe he belongs in jail and didn't vote for him either time) doesn't change that fact. Same in reverse. He could be everyone's favourite uncle and it would still be rendering the US's word worthless. Me, I'm not eligible to vote for him, what with having repeatedly turned down opportunities to move to the USA, the most recent occasion of which having been in 2016 specifically due to him having won.
        ericmay 2mo ago
        > No, that's the point, they're not. Do you want me to quote formal trade agreements that were made or are you able to just do a Google search yourself and see? > Same in reverse. He could be everyone's favourite uncle and it would still be rendering the US's word worthless. Ok our word is worthless and all that stuff so who cares then what anyone in Europe or whatever thinks. Oh well so sad we should withdraw from NATO immediately, send troops back to the US, and remove sanctions on Russia so we can bring down gas prices - who cares what Europe thinks since our word is worthless and all. Guess we'll just have to keep doing whatever we're doing.