Canada Attacks American Democracy With Tariff Information
Canada has launched its most aggressive assault on American democracy to date by discussing U.S. tariffs where American voters might hear about them, the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa warned Wednesday. Evidence of the operation includes retaliatory Canadian tariffs, meetings between Canadian officials and U.S. politicians, and an Ontario advertisement featuring Ronald Reagan criticizing protectionism. Officials said the campaign displays unusual sophistication because it relies almost entirely on public statements, official documents and events broadcast on television, allowing facts to circulate without first obtaining permission from the White House.
President Donald Trump praised Ambassador Pete Hoekstra for identifying the plot before millions of Americans accidentally connected higher prices, disrupted supply chains and slower factory orders with the president’s trade policies. “Canada is interfering like nobody has ever interfered before, very sneaky people, because they tell Americans exactly what our tariffs are doing, and once voters know things, frankly, you don’t even have a democracy anymore,” Trump said. Administration officials explained that foreign election interference now includes any accurate description of government policy delivered with a Canadian accent. Reagan’s recorded remarks were considered particularly subversive because they used a deceased Republican president to expose living Republican economics.
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly was identified as a central organizer after repeatedly explaining Canada’s trade response and meeting with governors, two activities previously classified as diplomacy until they threatened to provide context. Ontario Premier Doug Ford denied attempting to sway the midterm elections, while Prime Minister Mark Carney recklessly noted that Washington initiated the trade measures before Canada responded. Embassy officials immediately designated that chronological sequence as hostile propaganda. Americans were urged to remain alert for additional Canadian influence tactics, including price tags, closed factories, quarterly earnings reports and relatives in Michigan mentioning that business has slowed. Domestic criticism of tariffs remains constitutionally protected, officials added, provided it does not originate in Canada, quote Reagan, involve a governor, contain verifiable economic information or reach anyone considering voting against Republicans. Hoekstra said American elections remain fully secure as long as voters are protected from Canadian facts.
* None of the quotes in this article were spoken by an actual person. More info.