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Shoul we consider something like the Canadian proposal?

(48 Posts)
petra Tue 25-Feb-25 14:28:35

OldFrill

Maybe Europe should form a common market and work together.........oh whoops

It was a wonderful idea until the 7th February 1992.
That’s when millions of us said no, too much/ too far.

Wyllow3 Tue 25-Feb-25 14:19:49

Homestead62

Sadly and never thought I'd hear myself say this. The USA is not to be trusted. Given how quickly a regime can turn, I'd be wary of trusting any country completely. It shows how quick a benevolent government or indeed a monarchy ( depending on the country), can turn.

We did know in advance broadly what to expect, ie Project 25 policies, and Trumps way of working all too well known, but the way people are being treated home and abroad and the speed, bullying, the power Musk, unelected, has been given, and utter lack of consideration as to consequences has been breathtaking.

rocketship Tue 25-Feb-25 14:08:37

The USA has not only threatened Canada with tariffs, but also threatened to take over Canada and make it the 51st state!!

They are following almost to a T the plan Hitler used to take over Germany.
I'm waiting for trump/musk to create a false crisis [like Hitler did with the fire in Germany's reichstag] to declare martial law.

Think it can't happen?? Neither did the German people at the time.

What a mess~~~~ angry angry

Scary time for ALL of us as we may be facing WW 3.

Homestead62 Tue 25-Feb-25 10:46:00

Sadly and never thought I'd hear myself say this. The USA is not to be trusted. Given how quickly a regime can turn, I'd be wary of trusting any country completely. It shows how quick a benevolent government or indeed a monarchy ( depending on the country), can turn.

Grantanow Tue 25-Feb-25 10:41:16

What chance Brexit now?

Wyllow3 Mon 24-Feb-25 15:51:36

Yes to your post Monica

Grandmabatty Mon 24-Feb-25 15:46:31

Monica hear hear

HousePlantQueen Mon 24-Feb-25 14:57:51

Completely agree, Monica. Trump has squandered the so called special relationship, has shown that he has no regard for history, and also that he has no concept of contracts, of keeping your word, of generally being a decent, reliable ally. We certainly have the skills and technology to go it alone, as do most of Europe.

pascal30 Mon 24-Feb-25 14:49:28

M0nica

There is no way about it, in the future, in fact as from now, Europe can only look to Europe for its defence.

We need to boot the US out of NATO, (push it before it jumps), change the name to the ETO (European Treaty Organisation) open it to all countries in Europe whether they are members of the EU or not. This would include other countries threatened by the Russia/US axis, Moldavia, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine, all of us beef up our defence spending so that we turn the new ETO into a credible defence unit.

We need to end all dependence on the US for defence materials. Develop our own fighter planes, tanks, drones and guns.

Our big enemy now is Trump not Putin and we must play him at his own game.

Great post Monica, I agree it is the pragmatic way forward

AGAA4 Mon 24-Feb-25 14:28:36

I would also like to see the US booted out of NATO which would leave the US alone to stand against China and others. The only way is for Europe to work together to strengthen our defence.

M0nica Mon 24-Feb-25 13:46:57

There is no way about it, in the future, in fact as from now, Europe can only look to Europe for its defence.

We need to boot the US out of NATO, (push it before it jumps), change the name to the ETO (European Treaty Organisation) open it to all countries in Europe whether they are members of the EU or not. This would include other countries threatened by the Russia/US axis, Moldavia, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine, all of us beef up our defence spending so that we turn the new ETO into a credible defence unit.

We need to end all dependence on the US for defence materials. Develop our own fighter planes, tanks, drones and guns.

Our big enemy now is Trump not Putin and we must play him at his own game.

PoliticsNerd Mon 24-Feb-25 12:34:09

Whitewavemark2

Blimey that is ambitious.

No harm in ambition though

That made me smile Whitewavemark2. You're right; it's incredibly ambitious. I think that's what we're going to need though. The main challenge is that different ideologies direct ambition in different directions.

PoliticsNerd Mon 24-Feb-25 12:29:59

MaizieD

OldFrill

Maybe Europe should form a common market and work together.........oh whoops

The irony is that the EU has the excellent 'Single Market', instigated by the UK, and we threw away our membership of it, erecting self defeating trade barriers, with the Brexit vote.

Maybe that irony could move into something more positive. We need to acknowledge there were issues with the EU structure, but it's a pretty good foundation to build on.

Whitewavemark2 Mon 24-Feb-25 12:24:56

Blimey that is ambitious.

No harm in ambition though

PoliticsNerd Mon 24-Feb-25 12:19:42

Cossy

Yes, we need to unite with Europe and cut as many ties with the US as we can

Personally, I don’t want to sever ties with the USA, but I hope to see changes that enable democracies to collaborate with them. I believe this will take several years, and in the meantime, perhaps an assembly(?) of democracies can work together towards establishing leadership in the free world.

MaizieD Mon 24-Feb-25 11:56:57

OldFrill

Maybe Europe should form a common market and work together.........oh whoops

The irony is that the EU has the excellent 'Single Market', instigated by the UK, and we threw away our membership of it, erecting self defeating trade barriers, with the Brexit vote.

pascal30 Mon 24-Feb-25 11:45:17

OldFrill

Maybe Europe should form a common market and work together.........oh whoops

amusing...

Grandmabatty Mon 24-Feb-25 11:44:07

I would be really happy if we strengthen ties with Europe. Rejoining the single market would help us against Trump, I think.

Cossy Mon 24-Feb-25 10:29:30

Yes, we need to unite with Europe and cut as many ties with the US as we can

OldFrill Mon 24-Feb-25 10:20:38

Maybe Europe should form a common market and work together.........oh whoops

AGAA4 Mon 24-Feb-25 10:18:05

We do need to wean ourselves away from the US and become a stronger Europe. Reliance on the US is no longer viable.

Whitewavemark2 Mon 24-Feb-25 10:06:06

Our ties with Europe will have of necessity to be much strengthened.

It has started with defence, and will continue with the economy I am sure.

PoliticsNerd Mon 24-Feb-25 09:22:15

US/Canada trade is worth over $800 billion annually. Any disruption could shock the economies of both countries. Trump may have expected Canada to back down but they have hit back, imposing retaliatory tariffs, expanding new markets and strengthening relations with the EU, to protect their economic interests.

We (our country) need to look at following their example. If the Trump US is no longer to be trusted in trade or foreign policies we too need to look at strengthening other ties. I believe our government is doing just this while maintaining diplomatic ties with the US. So far, so good.