The MeidasTouch Podcast - Episode Summary

Episode Title: Furious Canada Kills Trump’s Plan and Makes Him Squeal!!
Date: January 17, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Special Guest: Charlie Angus (Leader of Meidas Canada Resistance Tour)

Episode Overview

This episode centers on Canada’s landmark $1 trillion trade pact with China, its broader pivot away from deep economic dependence on the United States, and the sharply contrasting approaches of Canadian leadership and Donald Trump regarding global trade and alliances. The Meiselas brothers delve into the details of this new “New World Order,” the domestic political fallout, and the implications for North American relations. Special guest Charlie Angus provides on-the-ground insight from Western Canada.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Canada’s Bold Trade Pivot (01:45–06:46)

• The hosts break the news that Canada, led by Prime Minister Carney, has finally struck a historic $1 trillion trade deal with China.
• This pact is part of a clear strategic realignment, working more closely with China, Europe, and the Global South, and intentionally “cutting the United States out.”
• Major elements:
  • Canada pulls back tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs); specifically, 49,000 Chinese EVs per year are now allowed into Canada at a favored 6% tariff rate.
  • China reciprocates by lowering tariffs on Canadian canola and other products.
  • China commits substantial investment in Canadian liquefied natural gas (LNG) and oil industries.

"As you keep talking about invading Greenland... guess what Canada is doing? It just announced a $1 trillion trade pact with China."
— Ben (01:45)

Notable Clips:

• [04:23] Prime Minister Carney on the "New World Order":

  "I believe the progress that we have made in the partnership sets us up well for the New World Order."

• [04:43] Carney Details the China EV Deal:

  "Let's put this in context. 49,000 vehicles... less than 3% of the Canadian auto market... a portion will be electric vehicles that cost less than $35,000... huge opportunity to get more affordable cars in the electric vehicle market for Canada."

• [06:20] Carney on LNG Exports:

  "By 2030, Canada will produce 50 million tons of LNG each year, all of which will be destined for Asian markets."

2. Contrasting Leadership Styles: Carney vs. Trump (06:46–10:40)

• Ben contrasts Carney’s measured diplomacy with Trump’s bombastic threats and tariffs, particularly Trump’s bizarre threats to tariff Greenland and his self-proclaimed title as "tariff king".
• Trump is fixated on tariffs as coercive tools, while Carney pursues multilateral, mutually beneficial arrangements.

"We have... that you're the tariff king. And here was Donald Trump threatening to tariff Greenland."
— Ben (07:53)

Notable Clip:

• [09:24] Carney Defines the "New World Order":

  "What are the trading... what is going to govern global trade? What is the role of the WTO going to be? How important are bilateral and plurilateral deals? ... The expectation is that rather than these being developed necessarily through the IMF, WTO... it is going to be coalitions that develop them... Not for the world but for subsectors of the world."
  — Prime Minister Carney (08:50–11:30)

3. On-the-Ground Perspectives: Interview with Charlie Angus (11:32–22:36)

a. Enormity of the Deal for Canada

• Charlie Angus (joining from Edmonton) describes the deal as a generational "game changer":
  • Opens new canola markets for Western Canada.
  • Evokes a Canadian pivot following U.S. MAGA antagonism and threats to trade.
  • Praises the introduction of affordable Chinese EVs and describes the deal’s potential for Canadian battery/critical mineral industry.
  • Predicts Chinese automaker factories will soon set up in Canada.

"What Carney has done here is significant. He's won huge concessions for Western Canada ... Getting that Chinese canola market back will be an enormous benefit as we see the American farmageddon continues."
— Charlie Angus (12:24)

b. Domestic Political Challenges

• Highlights political backlash expected from Canadian right-wing ("MAGA Maple") premiers and Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre.
• Notes Carney must address anxieties in Canadian auto sector towns and win over skeptical premiers, especially Doug Ford.

"There will be political risks. He's going to need to deal with the auto sector towns who are obviously very uncertain. He's going to have to make an offer to Doug Ford, our premier, who's going to be shouting and hollering about this."
— Charlie Angus (14:34)

c. North American Relations and the Demise of USMCA/CUSMA

• The renegotiation of CUSMA (Canada-US-Mexico Agreement) looms, as Trump threatens to tear it up.
• Angus and Ben debate what Canada’s strategy should be: capitulate, face down the U.S., or fully embrace economic sovereignty and diversification—an option Angus believes is now inevitable.

"Instead of a porous border, a back and forth, we basically build a moat... It's going to hurt, it's going to cost jobs. But... if it's going to hurt, well, let's make it hurt. And we will survive and we will build a nation that can trade."
— Charlie Angus (19:21)

d. Message to Donald Trump

• Charlie Angus delivers a defiant and scathing message directly to Trump, making clear that Canada will not be intimidated or dependent.

"Donald, you blew it... you haven’t earned any of that. You don’t deserve any of that because you are a criminal, Donald. ... you hate us so much as Canadians because we look you in the eye and we know exactly who you are and we will never bow and kiss your gangster ring. So suck it up."
— Charlie Angus (21:34)

4. Grassroots Resistance and Canadian Politics (22:52–24:07)

• Angus highlights burgeoning grassroots recall campaigns in Alberta, part of a larger movement resisting right-wing and pro-Trump influence in Canada.
• Emphasizes community activism and nation-building at the local level.

"There's massive recalls underway now... because Alberta is very much the front line, the fight against MAGA. ... we are on the road because it's about building democracy at the local level. It's about meeting people and it's about empowering communities."
— Charlie Angus (22:52)

Notable Moments & Quotes: Quick Reference

• [04:23] "I believe the progress that we have made in the partnership sets us up well for the New World Order." — PM Carney
• [04:43] Detailed breakdown of the EV deal — PM Carney
• [06:20] "Canada will produce 50 million tons of LNG... destined for Asian markets." — PM Carney
• [07:40] "I'm the tariff king. And the tariff king has done a great job." — Donald Trump
• [08:05] "I may do that for Greenland, too. I may put a tariff on countries if they don’t go along with Greenland..." — Donald Trump
• [12:24] "What Carney has done here is significant. He’s won huge concessions for Western Canada..." — Charlie Angus
• [21:34] "Donald, you blew it ... we will never bow and kiss your gangster ring. So suck it up." — Charlie Angus

Important Timestamps

• 01:45 — Introduction and breaking down the Canada-China trade pact
• 04:23 — Carney: “New World Order” soundbite
• 04:43 — Details of the EV agreement
• 06:20 — LNG investments and export plans
• 07:40 — Trump: “I’m the tariff king” clip
• 08:05 — Trump threatens to tariff countries over Greenland
• 08:50–11:30 — Carney explains "New World Order"
• 12:24 — Charlie Angus interview begins: significance of the Canada-China deal
• 14:34 — Political risks for Carney in Canada
• 15:43 — US-Canada trade fallout, CUSMA/USMCA renegotiations
• 19:21 — The three options for Canada’s future with the US
• 21:34 — Angus’ direct message to Trump
• 22:52 — Canadian grassroots resistance against MAGA influence

Tone & Style

The episode maintains its trademark blend of sharp legal and political analysis, humor, and unfiltered brotherly banter. The Meiselas brothers are unwavering in their pro-democracy stance and openly critical of Trump’s erratic policies. Charlie Angus brings a frank, folksy, and passionate Canadian perspective, directly addressing both Canadian and American audiences.

Summary for Non-Listeners

This episode is essential listening for anyone curious about the dramatic global realignments unfolding in 2026. It offers insight into how Canada is seizing the initiative to fortify its economy and democracy in the face of American unpredictability. The brothers provide a mixture of news analysis and irreverent commentary, while Charlie Angus’s guest segment paints a vivid picture of a country transforming, resilient in its sovereignty and unafraid to stand up to America’s “tariff king.”

The verdict: Canada’s “game changer” deal with China signals a major shift in the global order—one that’s leaving Trump’s America isolated and reeling.