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Michael Cohen
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Charlie Angus
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Michael Cohen
I'm here with Canadian Member of Parliament Charlie Angus. Charlie, last week Donald Trump backed down. He was trying to bully Canada. He imposed the tariffs. The American markets started to crash. Then Donald Trump withdrew the tariffs. Canada didn't budge. Canada still has retaliatory tariffs on right now. Charlie, what's your message to Donald Trump and his regime who may be watching this now?
Charlie Angus
Well, Donald, you know, it's become really clear after 60 some days of your chaos, you ripped up your European treaties, you sold out the people of Ukraine, you've acted in a disgraceful manner towards our allies, you're running a chainsaw through American democracy. But you made it clear that Canada is your number one enemy, your next door neighbors. So here's the thing. You're threatening us with tariffs. You're gonna bring them in, you're gonna bring us to our knees and then you start panicking because we don't back down. And now you're trying to him and haw and change. You know, what you said just, you know, a couple of days ago, we don't care. It doesn't matter until you bring all the tariffs off, until you start stop harassing us and threatening our border. The punishment is going to keep coming from Canada because we realize right now that Canada has become the number one line of resistance to you and your regime. So since you've backtracked, we've upped the ante. Whether it's going to be energy exports, whether it's critical, minerals. Canada will not back down at this point. So just, you need to do a rethink because this is not going to work well for you.
Michael Cohen
Charlie, you talked about in previous interviews how the Canadian people were prepared if Donald Trump imposed tariffs that they Understood it could be tough, but they were ready for it. And you said, what I'm warning the Americans, though, is that you aren't prepared, you aren't being told the truth about tariffs, and the markets are going to crash. Do you feel that what you said back then, when you and I started talking a few months ago now seems to be pretty prescient, doesn't it?
Charlie Angus
Well, we talked on a previous show about what will happen in Ottawa, and within four days, Toledo and Lansing, Bowling Green will start going down. And the day after the tariffs were announced, he immediately backed down on auto, which. Why wasn't he taking advice from the big automakers in the first place of the chaos that he would cause now in agriculture? It's going to be another big area with $73 billion shared trade. This is a totally integrated market. And Donald promised lower grocery prices in his first hundred days. Americans, like Canadians, have already seen the shocks of inflation, the shocks of post Covid once he starts messing with that market and he's saying some things in Kuzma are protected and other things aren't, Nobody knows. It's creating uncertainty, and it's making it very difficult for suppliers on both sides of the border. So I think what American farmers are waking up to is the fact that Canadians are no longer buying their products. We just. We're just not going to participate in this abusive relationship. You threaten us, we don't buy your products. How about that?
Michael Cohen
What are you seeing in Canada right now? We, you and I had previously talked about Canada being united. It seems that the kind of Canadian spirit has only solidified since we last talked. And it seems when I look at it, I go, how could a nation be even any more united, except for a few stragglers here and there, seems to be pretty united. What's your take on the ground?
Charlie Angus
I think, to be honest, when it started, we were determined, but we were frightened because we knew we were going to be in for a real big fight ahead of us and it would cost a lot. And I remember I got a beautiful message from a former section leader, Canadian soldier who'd been in Afghanistan, who said to me, you know, I kept telling my guys and my gals and, you know, don't be afraid of what's to come. You know, trust each other and you'll be fine. That was the feeling then. Now there's a real different feeling, which is a sense of determination and real unprecedented pride. We had massive rallies just yesterday in Quebec. They call themselves the mothers at the front outside the American consulate on International Women's Day. I can't get keep up with the amount of songs that are being written about Canada right now. It's either, it seems that, you know, we're all in the trench together and we're all having a great Canadian party. People are really determined to do this and do this in a right way and do this kind of joyfully and, and defiantly because let's face it, Trump, J.D. vance and Maga and Elon Musk, they're creepy people that you don't want them as neighbors. And we like the people that we've got here. So there's a real transformation happening of solidifying the resistance, people getting stronger in it and people saying, okay, now let's go to the next step. And that's going to be the pressure in our political leaders to be willing to up the ante rather than to backtrack.
Michael Cohen
Because Charlie, these creepy people, the Musks, the JD Vans, the Trumps, the Stephen Millers, I mean you in Canada I guess, are fortunate in the sense that you are getting a preview from the ghost of Christmas past telling you what the ghost of Christmas Future could actually look like. If you went down a Maple MAGA road, you'll have entities like DOGE destroying the government, ripping away health care, ripping away all of the hard fought rights and freedoms. Right. So you can kind of see that. And I think the public sentiment is changing as well. You know this Maple maga, which prided itself the kind of right wing Pierre Polievs and people like that on going on the right wing podcast like Jordan Peterson and spewing the exact same types of rhetoric we saw here, there's been a big change in that and that may be their undoing. What do you think?
Charlie Angus
Well, I think I may have to thank Donald Trump for one thing, which is to really show us what was in store for us. Because MAGA Maple was ascendant. Pierre Poliev and the Conservatives have run on this the politics of snide and cynicism and degrading their opponents. And Canadians were, I think, unsure. They were tired, they were cranky and it was, it was working. And so here's an example. Pierre Poliev's been in parliament for 20 some years. He's never had a real job outside being a political attack dog. And the only time I ever remember Pierre Poliev ever ringing legislation was his promise to get rid of vaccine mandates, that he was going to stand up for people's right not to get vaccinated. Well, now we see RFK Jr and the chaos he's causing and the measles outbreaks. And Canadians are saying that is not good public policy. That's the policy of an ideological idiot. And so then we look at Maga Maple here in Canada and we say, is that what we were in store for if we voted for this ideology, this kind of constant snide mean, negative? No, we don't want that. So I'm not saying we're out of the woods yet, but it certainly made it much more difficult for that, the megaforce, which was getting pretty strong here, to actually hold its own now, because people can see what Donald Trump has done, they can see what his ideologues are doing. And we realize that democracy has to do better than go to the lowest common knuckle dragging denominator.
Michael Cohen
One of the things we've seen too, a lot of American corporations, especially those in the booze related industry, are saying, you know what, these retaliatory tariffs are harmful. But what's even worse is the fact that in Canada, they're taking off the booze from the shelves, they're removing it. People are boycotting not just booze, but all American products. Canadians have canceled their trips to the United States and that's a little bit of a lagging indicator. But the fact that American markets are tanking already, once we see, I think the impact of the Canadian boycotts in March, April, May and beyond. I mean, you're talking about tens of billions, if not hundreds of billions of dollars. I think tourism, hundreds of billions of dollars would normally take place. So what are you seeing with the boycott? Is the boycotts growing, weakening, staying about the same. What are you seeing?
Charlie Angus
The boycott is so much enforced now. It is something that everyone is engaged in. And I read a really interesting fact that they said, you know, all it takes is about six weeks of changing your buying habits to change them forever. I know that Jack Daniels was getting whiny that we, we didn't just impose a tariff, we took it off the shelves. No American booze in any of our liquor outlets. And you know, my region, Ontario, is the biggest purchaser of booze in the world. Not signed perhaps on people of Ontario, but we buy a lot of Kentucky products, Tennessee products. We're not buying it. And even if they put it back on the shelf, people aren't buying. And a really interesting statistic I saw was that flights to the US in February were down 40%. Now they talked in January about a 10% drop causing, I don't know, 15,000 jobs right off the top a 40% drop is extraordinary. And then you add to that the fact that February is a really, really cold month in Canada. People love going south to the US and they're not. They're going either to Mexico or they're staying home to do tours in the summer through Canada. So this is having a huge effect. And this is the power of the boycott. The boycott will start putting pressure on the governors. It'll put pressure on red state and blue state legislators to start standing up and saying this is an insane thing. Why would the United States consider its number one en the world to be not China, not North Korea, not Vladimir Putin, but their next door neighbors in Canada with an integrated market, which is the most successful marketing arrangement in the world today? Why would they blow that up? That's something Donald Trump is going to have to explain to the American people very soon.
Michael Cohen
Well, it's either the height of negligence or seeming more. As Donald Trump moves closer or is already moving the nation to the axis of evil, it feels intentional, wanton, malicious about why you would go and do that if you actually want to inflict harm. Charlie, your final message right now to the Trump regime as we start another week with Canada staying strong and Donald Trump and his regime flailing, your final message.
Charlie Angus
Well, Donald, we know the ideology behind maga, that you believed you could create an American empire. You could just plunder resources that didn't belong to you. You could rip up treaties like the border treaty, like the Great Lakes Treaty, you could act like a gangster state. And you guys were all feeling pretty bullish doing it, but it was all predicated on the notion that Canada would collapse. And then when we didn't, you got confused. And then so you huffed and puffed and threatened even higher tariffs. And then we said we'll go higher and we'll go higher still. This is the thing that you, Donald, wasn't expecting. And so now you're going to have to rethink this. If the number one source of resistance to your regime right now are the people of Canada, you're in big trouble. Because you don't know how Canadians are. When we go from being nice to going to the point that you're going to pay a price. So here's the thing, Donald. If you want to go all the way, we're already there. We know we are going all the way. But you told us we don't have the right to even have a country. And when you say that, Donald. Well, as we say in Canada, that's when we drop the gloves. That's when we go over the boards and that's when we go elbows up. And that's the slogan of this movement. Elbows up. Right in your face, Donald. So make a decision. Where are you going to go with.
Michael Cohen
This Member of Parliament, Charlie Angus. And of course, a Midas. Mighty favorite. Great to have you on.
Charlie Angus
Thanks so much everybody.
Michael Cohen
Hit subscribe. Let's get to 5 million subscribers. The truth is more important than ever. Check out our new Truth over lies collection@store.midas touch.com All 100% USA Union made.
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The MeidasTouch Podcast: "Canada MP Destroys Trump as Canada Resists"
Release Date: March 10, 2025
Hosts and Guests:
In this compelling episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, the Meiselas brothers welcome Canadian MP Charlie Angus to discuss the escalating trade tensions between the United States and Canada under the Trump administration. The conversation delves into Trump’s aggressive tariff strategies, Canada’s robust resistance, and the broader implications for North American democracy and economic stability.
Michael Cohen initiates the discussion by highlighting Trump's initial attempt to impose tariffs on Canadian goods, leading to a swift market crash in the U.S. before Trump eventually withdrew these tariffs. However, Canada remains steadfast, maintaining its retaliatory measures.
Charlie Angus responds passionately:
“Donald, you know, it's become really clear after 60 some days of your chaos... Canada still has retaliatory tariffs on right now. [01:26]”
He criticizes Trump for undermining international treaties and damaging relationships with allies, positioning Canada as the primary obstacle to Trump’s regime.
The conversation shifts to the economic fallout of these tariffs. Cohen references a previous discussion where Angus predicted significant market disruptions due to Trump’s tariff policies.
Angus elaborates:
“Within four days, Toledo and Lansing, Bowling Green will start going down... It's creating uncertainty, and it's making it very difficult for suppliers on both sides of the border. [03:05]”
He emphasizes the integrated nature of the U.S.-Canada market, particularly in agriculture, worth approximately $73 billion in shared trade. Angus warns that Trump’s actions are destabilizing, leading American farmers to reconsider their reliance on Canadian markets.
A significant portion of the episode celebrates Canada’s unity in the face of external pressure. Cohen observes an unprecedented solidarity among Canadians, prompting Angus to share firsthand experiences of national pride and determination.
“We had massive rallies just yesterday in Quebec... People are really determined to do this and do this in a right way and do this kind of joyfully and defiantly. [04:31]”
Angus highlights how events like International Women’s Day rallies and the creation of anthems celebrating Canada demonstrate a collective resilience against Trump’s policies.
The discussion moves to the effectiveness of Canadian boycotts against American products. Cohen points out the tangible impacts, such as American corporations, especially in the alcohol industry, facing removals from Canadian shelves.
Angus provides detailed insights:
“The boycott is so much enforced now. It is something that everyone is engaged in... February flights to the US were down 40%. [09:28]”
He explains that changes in consumer behavior, such as avoiding American booze and canceled trips to the U.S., are significantly harming American businesses. The boycotts are not only symbolically important but are also exerting substantial economic pressure, potentially leading to a downturn in U.S. markets.
Cohen discusses how public opinion is shifting against Trump’s provocative policies, likening it to a potential "Maple MAGA" movement that could destabilize Canadian democracy.
Angus reflects on the negative feedback from Trump’s strategies:
“Canadians are saying that is not good public policy. That's the policy of an ideological idiot. [06:58]”
He insightfully connects the fallout from Trump’s actions to the weakening support for right-wing ideologies within Canada, suggesting that Canadians are demanding more respectful and democratic governance. This shift is making it harder for pro-Trump factions to maintain their stance.
As the episode nears its conclusion, Cohen prompts Angus for a final message to Trump amidst Canada’s unwavering resistance.
Angus delivers a powerful closing statement:
“Donald, if you want to go all the way, we're already there. We know we are going all the way. But you told us we don't have the right to even have a country. [11:45]”
He emphasizes Canada’s readiness to confront and counteract Trump’s ambitions, asserting that Canada will not back down. The phrase “Elbows up. Right in your face, Donald,” encapsulates the defiant stance Canada has adopted in response to Trump’s provocations.
This episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast provides a thorough analysis of the geopolitical and economic tensions between the U.S. and Canada under Trump’s administration. Through Charlie Angus’s insights, listeners gain a deep understanding of Canada’s strategic resistance, the unity of its people, and the broader implications for democracy and international relations. The conversation underscores the resilience of democratic values in the face of authoritarian tactics and highlights the significant role of economic boycotts as a tool for political resistance.
Notable Quotes:
Charlie Angus on Trump’s Disregard for Treaties:
“You ripped up your European treaties, you sold out the people of Ukraine... [01:26]”
On Market Uncertainty:
“It's creating uncertainty, and it's making it very difficult for suppliers on both sides of the border. [03:05]”
On Canadian Determination:
“People are really determined to do this and do this in a right way and do this kind of joyfully and defiantly. [04:31]”
On the Effectiveness of Boycotts:
“The boycott is so much enforced now. It is something that everyone is engaged in... [09:28]”
Final Defiance to Trump:
“Elbows up. Right in your face, Donald. [13:05]”
This episode not only highlights the dynamic between the U.S. and Canada but also serves as a testament to the power of unity and strategic resistance in upholding democratic values against divisive political agendas.