Joshua Thomson
Joshua is CANZUK International's Senior Associate
for Eastern Canada based in Saint John, NB
It was 10 years ago in March 2015 that I first joined CANZUK International as Senior Associate for Eastern Canada.
I remember feeling such a thrill to be part of a larger global movement that meant so much to me personally, and I truly believed that a day would come when CANZUK could truly fulfill its purpose.
That same thrill would remain with me in the years that followed, and this propelled me to advocate for the CANZUK movement in my local community and through my various online publications that I’ve had the privilege to share with you all over the years.
That same thrill would remain with me in the years that followed, and this propelled me to advocate for the CANZUK movement in my local community and through my various online publications that I’ve had the privilege to share with you all over the years.
Then came the greatest economic disaster of our time that we came to know as COVID-19, which created something of a hurdle for CANZUK when it came to global mobility. I often say that the pandemic was something of a catalyst which gave way to the series of crises and monumental events that have rocked our world ever since, from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the passing of Her Majesty The Queen, the Israel-Gaza War, multiple catastrophic weather events, a cost of living crisis, and now what I have come to write to you all about today; an unprovoked trade war that has engulfed two longtime allies.
On January 20, 2025, Donald J. Trump assumed office as the 47th President of the United States. The President made himself clear not long after when he was elected, that he would impose a 25 per cent tariff on all products imported into the United States from Canada.
In a country that is already fatigued in a post-pandemic world, this type of measure would be a devastating blow to the already delicate Canadian economy.
Being CANZUK International’s Representative for Eastern Canada, I am from Saint John, New Brunswick – Canada’s oldest Incorporated City. It is a port city that relies heavily on its cruise industry as well as exporting more than 80% of its crude oil to our neighbours south of the border. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Business Data Lab recently reported that Saint John ranked #1 as being the Canadian city most vulnerable to Trump’s Tariffs, at 131.1%. Calgary, Alberta ranked at #2 with a distant 81.6%.
In a community that is already experiencing a homelessness crisis, rising crime and struggling businesses, these tariffs have the potential to deal a crippling blow to the local economy.
As a longtime resident in Uptown Saint John, it is my duty to speak out again about just how CANZUK could be the solution to the troubles that we now face as a country. CBC reported on February 17 that European leaders are holding emergency talks with fears that Trump has abandoned age-old allies. To that, I say the time has come for us to reforge the alliances of old.
I believe it is the opportune time for us all to be reminded that Canada’s historic ties do not lie with the United States, but with its Commonwealth counterparts. For the past decade, CANZUK International has advocated for free trade between Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom and I believe that time has finally come.
Political leaders in Canada have already alluded to the idea of Canada reaching out to its European allies in hopes of organizing new trade deals. The blueprint for CANZUK is already in place and has been for many, many years. What is old, is new again – Canada’s roots lie with the Commonwealth, and it is because of this age-old friendship that we could see the reality of free trade between the CANZUK countries.
We are in a forever changing world, and we can no longer make the assumptions we once did before the pandemic. There is no going back, only forward, and that way is with CANZUK.
On January 20, 2025, Donald J. Trump assumed office as the 47th President of the United States. The President made himself clear not long after when he was elected, that he would impose a 25 per cent tariff on all products imported into the United States from Canada.
In a country that is already fatigued in a post-pandemic world, this type of measure would be a devastating blow to the already delicate Canadian economy.
Being CANZUK International’s Representative for Eastern Canada, I am from Saint John, New Brunswick – Canada’s oldest Incorporated City. It is a port city that relies heavily on its cruise industry as well as exporting more than 80% of its crude oil to our neighbours south of the border. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Business Data Lab recently reported that Saint John ranked #1 as being the Canadian city most vulnerable to Trump’s Tariffs, at 131.1%. Calgary, Alberta ranked at #2 with a distant 81.6%.
In a community that is already experiencing a homelessness crisis, rising crime and struggling businesses, these tariffs have the potential to deal a crippling blow to the local economy.
As a longtime resident in Uptown Saint John, it is my duty to speak out again about just how CANZUK could be the solution to the troubles that we now face as a country. CBC reported on February 17 that European leaders are holding emergency talks with fears that Trump has abandoned age-old allies. To that, I say the time has come for us to reforge the alliances of old.
I believe it is the opportune time for us all to be reminded that Canada’s historic ties do not lie with the United States, but with its Commonwealth counterparts. For the past decade, CANZUK International has advocated for free trade between Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom and I believe that time has finally come.
Political leaders in Canada have already alluded to the idea of Canada reaching out to its European allies in hopes of organizing new trade deals. The blueprint for CANZUK is already in place and has been for many, many years. What is old, is new again – Canada’s roots lie with the Commonwealth, and it is because of this age-old friendship that we could see the reality of free trade between the CANZUK countries.
We are in a forever changing world, and we can no longer make the assumptions we once did before the pandemic. There is no going back, only forward, and that way is with CANZUK.
Heading photo: Goss.ie under Creative Commons License CC0 1.0 Universal
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