Well, America has shit the bed and in true American fashion – it looks to be keen on extorting it’s closest neighbours for fresher sheets.

As the United States drunkenly stumbles into the tumultuous waters of Donald Trump’s second presidency in 2025, Canadians are left to ponder their own future. The echoes of “America First” resonate loudly, signalling a continuation—and likely an escalation—of the isolationist, corporatist, and far-right policies that have increasingly defined our southern neighbour.

The New Colossus, once a symbol of democratic ideals in a land where newly-landed migrants sought prosperity and liberty unseen in Europe, now towers over an America deeply fractured by oligarchic interests and radical far-right extremism.

For Canada, the question becomes urgent – almost existential: how do we defend our sovereignty and chart an independent path forward in the shadow of this new era?

Well for starters, the influence of American politics on Canadian life has always been profound, but under a Trump 2.0 administration, this influence risks becoming nationally corrosive. The far-right ideologies gaining traction in the U.S. don’t stop at the border; they embolden similar movements in Canada. From targeted disinformation campaigns to economic pressures exerted by multinational corporations, the threats to Canada’s sovereignty are multifaceted and deep-rooted.

What was once the darling gem of early 90’s neoliberals – NAFTA or the North American Free Trade Agreement has turned out to be a bombshell in the making for Canada and Mexico. Turns out the Canadian Left was right all along. NAFTA and it’s updated mutant cousin CUSMA (Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement) has effectively disarmed this country economically against what was once thought an impossibility: the United States as an economic rogue state.

With the destruction of domestic manufacturing and the offshoring of consumer goods off of Canadian shores and into the out of sight, out of mind sweatshops in Asia – we have willingly allowed ourselves to become an economic hostage to a hostile behemoth with no clear path out of the mess we find ourselves in. Turns out that free trade comes with a high cost – it only took about thirty years for the bill to come in the mail.

Brace yourselves, Canada – because the next few years are going to fucking hurt. There’s no easy way out of this, especially not from the political centre. What we can do – no, what we must do – is radically strengthen the political institutions of this nation; investing in robust, independent institutions that resist external interference is paramount. This includes bolstering election security, ensuring media independence, and protecting public institutions from privatization.

The spread of far-right propaganda through social media and other channels is a direct threat to informed decision-making. Canada needs to implement and enforce stricter regulations on tech platforms, ensuring accountability for the content they host. However, this point is somewhat flaccid considering the overwhelming power that American oligarchs have on social media platforms – a majority of Canadians use American owned social media services, of which – we do not legal jurisdiction over to combat far-right propaganda that is no doubt going to flood the platforms. What we can do is elevate and move to create Canadian parallels to these platforms, especially ones that are designed to be interoperable and decentralized.

An uncomfortable truth is that as a country, we must now swallow a bitter pill and realize that we must reduce reliance on the U.S. market, no matter how painful it may be in the economic short term. Expanding trade partnerships with Europe, Asia, and other regions can help shield Canada from economic coercion tied to the “America First” doctrine. We need to send a message to America that America First means America Alone.

While the Trump administration doubles down on corporatism and a nationalist agenda, Canada has an opportunity to differentiate itself by embracing social democracy. This path is not just about resisting the American model; it’s about building a more equitable and resilient society as a counter to the American Nightmare. While the U.S threatens to deport millions of immigrant workers – who are critical to the U.S economy – and systematically oppress the established liberties of minorities, it is Canada that can stand up and be a safer harbour for those who seek to be seen as human, rather than disposable economic cogs in a cruel system of wanton free-market capitalism.

Where the U.S. sees public goods as profit opportunities, Canada can prioritize universal healthcare, affordable housing, and accessible education. These investments not only improve quality of life but also create a robust safety net against economic shocks by ingraining class mobility into our political system. When essential services such as healthcare are decommodified, we create substantial gains for working class families by ensuring that the loss of funds that come from illness and disease do not impact the wallet of Canadian families, effectively creating a massive gain in disposable income which is then spent upstream into local economies and thus into wider tax pools to sustain our national systems. Additionally, Canada can counter the erosion of worker protections seen in the U.S. by empowering unions, raising wages, and ensuring workplace rights are enforced. A thriving working class is essential for a stable and prosperous democracy.

We must build a nation to become an effective political counterweight to America.

Canada’s response to the Trump administration’s policies must extend beyond its borders. By becoming a voice for multilateralism, human rights, and environmental stewardship, Canada can play a pivotal role on the world stage. Collaborating with like-minded nations in Europe, the Commonwealth, and particularly the Global South, can amplify Canada’s voice against authoritarianism and corporatism. Through world initiatives like election monitoring, capacity-building programs, and supporting independent journalism worldwide is crucial to countering propaganda and ensuring the free flow of reliable information, and help other nations resist authoritarian tendencies.

I cannot stress this enough, this is a moment of reckoning for this country.

The re-election of Donald Trump presents Canada with profound challenges—but also opportunities. By prioritizing sovereignty, embracing social democracy, and positioning itself as a global counterweight to far-right authoritarianism, Canada can emerge not as a follower, but as a leader. It will not be a quick transformation. It will not be without growing pains or setbacks, but it is entirely possible.

This is not a time for complacency or political fatalism. The stakes are high, but so too is the potential to reshape Canada’s identity as a bastion of fairness, equity, and progressive governance. As the shadow of the fallen New Colossus looms large, Canada must light its own torch—a beacon of resistance, resilience, and hope.

-K-