Trump’s plan for ‘hemispheric control’: Steve Bannon on why tariffs may only be the start – National | Globalnews.ca

15 comments

1. Steve Bannon, a former aide to Donald Trump, asserts that Trump’s interest in Canada extends beyond tariffs and is rooted in strategic geopolitical considerations. He believes that Canada is vulnerable due to its northern border and the changing dynamics of the Arctic, which are becoming increasingly accessible to countries like Russia and China. Bannon argues that Trump’s comments about Canada potentially becoming the 51st state reflect a serious intention to establish a north-south economic and military corridor for “hemispheric control.” He emphasizes that Canada must strengthen its defense capabilities to protect its sovereignty, as failing to do so could lead to U.S. intervention. Bannon’s views suggest that the current U.S. administration’s approach to Canada is part of a broader strategy to secure North America against external threats.

2. If only there was some sort of North Atlantic Treaty Organization or something that would protect Canada and America.

   If only.

3. Isnt this the whole point of NATO and NORAD? And why we run joint drills in the high North? No one will ever be able to match the US or come close militarily, other than its direct adversaries,, that’s why they’re the hegemon lol. Feels like another thinly veiled excuse to expand the US empire. If you cant meet our demands we have to invade you to protect ourselves.

4. Trumps going to push America into becoming an old fashioned imperialist empire. He will start a gulf war with Iran and he will try to buy the UK. He may even invade mexico. All the while, the majority of his supporters who claim to be anti war, will flip flop, once again. Like after Iraq/Afghanistan.

   It’s definitely not his idea, there’s a reason why people have been talking about the strategic importance of Anchorage, Alaska since forever. They all know global warming is real (conveniently called dynamics by bannon) and the arctic cirlcle will become far more important.

5. Bannon want to be American dugin

6. These are just excuses on par with russian excuses for invading Ukraine.

   It’s just blatant land grabbing.

7. Gargle my Canadian balls. You’ve only began to see our reaction.

   “But our military would crush you!” Cool. Vietnam, Afghanistan, Canada 🙂

8. What’s weird is it doesn’t seem like Trump tried to explain this to Canada or anyone. If it’s true, I’m sure Canada would understand and assist.

   What is Russia or China going to do in Northern Canada that would be a national security concern, anyways? Invade? The U.S. and Canada would know well in advance, especially the U.S.
   If Russia/China invaded Canada, the U.S. would have plenty of time to respond before they reached the U.S. border We already have NORAD.

   Nothing makes sense.

9. As a Canadian, the Americans do have a good point that we need dramatically up our defence game. We’ve become too complacent, almost addicted to being under the American security umbrella. “Soft-white underbelly” is the correct phrase. However, we have been making progress and have started to move on major procurements and upgrades, committing to the F-35 fighter fleet replacement, a new military aircrew training program with new training fleets, a fleet of P-8 Poseidon’s, a new fleet of air refuelers, a new Surface combatant shipbuilding program, a patrol drone program, an upgrade for the Arctic radar network and soon we’ll begin a procurement for a new fleet of subs. This all amounts to hundreds of billions in new defence spending, however will take several years to fully implement. By 2030 or so, most of this should be in place. But of course, we could and should be doing more, much faster.

   The problem as always is with Trump’s approach, which is completely insane and has only driven a wedge between the US and Canada. Any forced annexation of Canada – which the US certainly has the power to do – would lead to 40 million angry, bitter and potentially hostile people in the territory you say you want to defend, potentially working against your interests because now you are the bigger threat to them. Already with this tariff mess, the Canadian population is completely galvanized against American overnight, seeking new partnerships and even openly wondering if we were too hasty aligning against China and wondering if we ought to bring them back in as a trade partner.

   If Trump was patient, smart and actually a good strategizer, he would simply use a carrot and stick approach. Incentivize to be Canada to further integrate economically with actually benefits while demanding Canada increase military spending and capabilities, using tariffs as a way to force action without devastating the Canadian economy. The tariffs would be justified if they were framed as needed to help pay for the gaps in defence Canada is allowing. But that’s not how he does it. He starts immediately with insults, threats and wild
   Punishments.

10. I’d say this was a delusional conspiracy theory if the president weren’t literally saying this shit out loud.

11. OK, yet they still haven’t been able to convey why Canada needs to be put under direct U.S. control in order to achieve this. We have always given them right of passage and full military & economic cooperation in the north. How is this any different than the decades of successful force projection they have provided in other areas of the world with similar security challenges?

    This is merely a front that MAGA is putting up to try and explain their nefarious ulterior motives.

12. All this makes me believe, a deal has been cut with China behind the scenes that both sides can do whatever they want and none of them would get involved in each others hemispheres

13. Preying is different than checking for safety.
    Security was in good hands before, now it’s about crime.
    But the new world will be this

14. The other side of Trump’s hemispheric control strategy is that he really doesn’t care what other powers (Russia/China/EU) do, as long as they stay out of his sphere of influence. It is “America First” taken to the next possible extreme- “Americas First.” This suits Russia, China, and Israel for that matter, just fine.

15. My thoughts are what’s next?
    I would like to see the Gaza proposal as a continuum to his Canada, Greenland, and Panama Canal aspirations. 

    I am wondering if he will be asking for Singapore or some land near Malcca straits next?

Comments are closed.