The MeidasTouch Podcast – "Furious Canada Goes For Kill Shot as Trump Crashes"
Date: August 24, 2025
Hosts: Ben, Brett & Jordy Meiselas
Episode Overview
This high-energy episode explores an unprecedented shift in US-Canada relations, as Canada moves decisively away from economic and political reliance on the United States in response to Trump’s renewed regime and tariffs. The brothers track the collective Canadian response—a blend of government assertiveness, cross-party unity, and surging grassroots support for a boycott of US goods and tourism—while highlighting the broader international ramifications. Through spirited banter and pointed analysis, the Meiselas brothers frame Canada’s "elbows up" moment as a testament to democracy and multilateralism, contrasting it sharply with Trump’s isolated, erratic leadership.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Canada’s Strategic Decoupling From the US
[01:58–07:29]
- Canada, exasperated by continuing Trump-imposed tariffs and rising US authoritarianism, is actively pivoting away from the US both economically and diplomatically.
- Canadian leadership is united—left, right, and center—on asserting independence, seeking new alliances, and prioritizing domestic interests.
- Canada is publicly boycotting US products and tourism, intensifying retaliatory trade measures, and explicitly reducing dependence on the US market.
Notable Quote:
"Canada is saying 'Goodbye United States.' You see, Canada is beyond being just furious at the Trump regime and the United States. Canada has moved on… will lead the international boycott of American products and of tourism into the United States."
– Political Commentator [01:58]
2. Prime Minister Carney’s Vision and Policy Announcements
[05:01–07:29]
- Carney delivers a resolute address laying out Canada’s new industrial and defense strategy:
- Protect Canadian workers and businesses
- Enhance strategic sectors (agriculture, autos)
- Launch new nation-building infrastructure and defense projects
- Double homebuilding and catalyze a new Canadian housing industry
- Forge new global partnerships and trade deals aimed at resilience over reliance
Notable Quote:
“As I've emphasized in recent months, that steady process of integration [with the US] is now over. As a result, some of our historic strengths have become vulnerabilities. We can and must adapt to this new reality.”
– Prime Minister Carney [06:08]
3. Global Diplomacy & Building Alliances
[07:29–10:17]
- Carney’s upcoming visit to Germany, meetings with Chancellor Merz, and broader European outreach signal a decisive shift toward deepening ties with the EU.
- Canada is revitalizing pre-existing agreements and expanding cooperation in critical minerals, energy, and defense.
Notable Quote:
"There’s a broad range of areas, from critical minerals to energy and defense and security, where we are intensifying our discussions with Germany. Many opportunities… I’m confident that with this chancellor and the focus of our government, that it will be [a much better partnership].”
– Prime Minister Carney [08:48]
4. A Hockey Analogy for Canada’s Negotiation Stance
[10:17–11:35]
- Carney likens the US-Canada trade standoff to a hockey game, emphasizing strategic toughness, timing, and sending a strong message to the US—“drop the gloves,” but also “stickhandle” and “put the puck in the net.”
- The goal is to surgical in dealing with Trump, while focusing the bulk of energy on building broader partnerships.
Notable Quote:
“We drop the gloves in the first period and you send a message... But there’s also a time in a game where you want the puck… And we’re moving later into the game, and we’re at that time in the game, and that’s where the engagement is.”
– Prime Minister Carney [10:38]
5. Industry Diplomacy in Scandinavia — Diversifying Defense and Trade
[12:43–17:21]
- Industry Minister Mélanie Joly’s visits to Finland and Sweden reinforce Canada’s pivot—deepening NATO ties, exploring alternatives to US defense contracts (e.g., F-35s vs. Saab), and bolstering industrial and business partnerships.
- Emphasis on sovereignty, “economic diplomacy,” and leveraging Canada’s Arctic identity.
Notable Quote:
“We have the vision of having the strongest economy of the G7… and we have to do so through economic diplomacy. And that is why coming to Europe, to Sweden and Finland, was a key priority for me…”
– Minister Mélanie Joly [15:15]
6. Rethinking Military Procurement: The F-35 Debate
[16:27–18:35]
- Canada is re-evaluating its planned purchase of US-made F-35s, studying alternatives from Sweden’s Saab, and using the process as a bargaining chip with the US.
- The overarching goal: maximize Canada’s leverage, ensure true sovereignty in defense, and potentially transition away from American dependency in military hardware.
Notable Quote:
“My job… is to look at options and to understand what could be the different economic benefits. I… met with Saab… and with Lockheed Martin as well. I wanted to make sure we could understand what was being proposed by Saab by going to their facility in Sweden… It is just normal in the context of my mandate to be able to do so.”
– Minister Mélanie Joly [17:31]
7. Cross-Party Canadian Unity Against Trump’s Tariffs
[18:35–19:32]
- Even Conservative Premier Doug Ford of Ontario strongly opposes Trump’s tariffs, vowing to protect Ontario’s workers and economy, and highlighting the widespread economic pain at border crossings like Sarnia.
Notable Quote:
“President Trump’s tariffs are taking direct aim at Ontario, causing economic uncertainty and hurting families and businesses… We’re doing everything in our power to cut the red tape and make Ontario and Canada the strongest, most competitive, resilient, and self-reliant economy in the G7.”
– Doug Ford [18:54]
8. Grassroots Canadian Boycott & Economic Impact
[19:32–22:12]
- A surge in Canadian grassroots activism: up to 80% distrust Trump to keep any deal; Las Vegas tourism is “crashing” with a 40% drop in Canadian visitors.
- Canadian consumers are scrutinizing labels, purposefully avoiding American-made goods, and many intend a “lifetime boycott.”
- The boycott is having serious effects on US sectors (especially tourism), while also strengthening Canada’s domestic economy and fighting inflation.
Notable Quotes:
“One of the most common things we hear from Canadians now is they become very vigilant about reading labels to make sure no aspect of it is made in America and that they buy Canada. Also buying Canada helps with inflation, helps the Canadian economy.”
– Political Commentator [20:46]
“Lots of Canadians are saying we're going to do a lifetime boycott at this point. We're not just doing a short term boycott, we're gonna boycott forever.”
– Political Commentator [21:52]
Memorable Moments & Tone
- The ongoing “elbows up” hockey motif adds a distinctly Canadian flavor and underscores the spirit of assertiveness and resolve.
- Brotherly banter peppers the analysis, blending gravity with humor and sharp jabs at Trumpian bluster (“Trump… just being an utter idiot and having contradictory, unstable policies” [21:12]).
- The focus on multilateralism, national resilience, and international leadership is presented as a model for defending democracy against authoritarian trends.
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 01:58 – Canadian shift away from US, trade and tourism boycott
- 05:01 – Prime Minister Carney unveils economic and industrial strategy
- 08:26 – Carney explains Germany visit, wider EU engagement
- 10:22 – Carney’s hockey analogy for negotiation tactics
- 13:11 – Minister Mélanie Joly on Scandinavian partnerships
- 17:21 – Joly discusses F-35 decision and defense sovereignty
- 18:43 – Doug Ford on Ontario’s response to US tariffs
- 19:32 – Economic impact, Vegas tourism, and Canadian boycott movement
Conclusion
This episode captures a turning point in North American geopolitics, as Canada forcefully reorients itself economically, industrially, and diplomatically away from Trump’s America. The podcast’s lively, pro-democracy tone and detailed play-by-play analysis—including authentic language from key figures—make it essential listening for anyone tracking the evolving confrontation between autocracy and resilient democracy.