To suspect the "deal" between the US and Russia Greenland for Ukraine?

[FancyRedRobin]

The way things are shaping up I'm beginning to think the USAs negotiations with Putin were for USA to stand aside and let Putin have part of Ukraine and for Russia to support the US to take Greenland.

I don't think human rights abuses are particularly relevant to this thread, or to the recent and unfolding boycotts of US products.

but it proves the point that if people want or prefer china over the usa and are happy to boycott usa then by the same logic they should also be boycotting china etc

It’s not yours to decide anything about. American greed and self importance clearly knows no bounds. Shame on you.

well you can always bow down to russia or china so take your pick and its strange when the west is in a pickle why is it the usa that they turn to ?

It's doesn't make sense to me - people want to boycott US goods because they are withdrawing aid to Ukraine. Did anyone boycott goods from China when they've never supported Ukraine in the first place and in fact support Russia. Europe have been sending more money to Russia than the Ukraine in the form of payments for fossil fuels. Maybe we should boycott European goods.

The only nation that’s put Canada in a pickle has been the US. And historically, you guys were not first on the list to help for either world wars. And for a lot of the subsequent pickles, the US had a big hand in creating them and escalating them for their own interests, so damn right we want you to clean it up.
Get over yourselves. If you guys all want to be Russians, you do you but leave the rest of us out of it.

In this thread:

Americans (or "Americans"): you guys in Europe got to do colonialism a century ago. Why won't you let us have our turn???

Also Americans: You need to let us invade Greenland/annex Canada/"buy" whichever country we please, in order to prevent a Chinese/Russia invasion, because colonialiam is bad!!!! (except when we do it).

That's an incredibly shallow analysis.

The US is actively and presently waging a trade war against us, using its powerful economy to do so, with the view of crushing out economy and annexing us. Why would we choose to give our money to an active and current aggressor?

It's a bit like saying Ukraine shouldn't have fought back against Russia because North Korea is worse.

The US has made similar threats of invasion against and EU Member (Denmark) and says that tariffs are coming. The UK might avoid these direct threats for now but (1) for how long? (2) a trade was with the EU will be damaging to the UK's economy, too, and (3) the current US administration has engaged in highly-visible efforts to undermine and destabilize the UK's government (and others in Europe).

The reality of global politics is not a matter of sentiment, but of power and strategic interests. Nations do not turn to the United States out of affection, but because in moments of crisis, American strength economic, military, and diplomatic remains the most reliable counterweight to authoritarian expansion.

The argument that the U.S. ‘created’ many of these crises ignores a fundamental truth: disorder is a constant in international affairs, and absent a stabilizing force, more dangerous actors fill the vacuum.

If the West must choose between bowing to Moscow or Beijing, then it is not merely a question of deference, but of whether democratic nations prefer to shape their own destinies or have them shaped by others.

America’s role is not about ‘cleaning up messes’ it is about ensuring the world remains one in which open societies, rather than coercive regimes, set the terms of engagement.

Hmm, let's see

Russia: run by a mad dictator who likes to invade sovereign nations and uses the Internet to spread mass propaganda and conspiracy theories to destabilise other countries

USA: run by a mad wannabe dictator who keeps threatening to invade sovereign nations and uses backdoor means to spy on their own and other country's citizens

China: Uses infrastructure projects to gain influence in developing countries and also uses backdoor means to spy on other countries. Starting to understand the important of soft power as global influence.

Never thought I'd say this, but perhaps China is the least worst option? By which I mean it's still a terrible fucking option.

If they do suddenly start making noises about invading Taiwan, I'll change my tune, of course.

The U.S. Canada trade war did not begin in a vacuum—it stems from long-standing issues, including Canada’s protectionist policies in sectors like dairy, lumber, and energy.

Canada has long subsidized its softwood lumber industry, creating an unfair playing field for American producers, and it maintains a heavily controlled dairy market that blocks U.S. exports. When the Trump administration imposed tariffs on steel and aluminium, it was in response to concerns over unfair trade practices, including China’s influence on North American markets through transhipments.

If Canada sees U.S. actions as economic warfare, then it must also acknowledge its own protectionist measures as part of the broader trade conflict. Nations act in their own economic interests that is not hostility, but reality

We're way past this. Where we are is, give me your lunch money because I say so. I know I promised to protect you in return for the huge sacrifices you made for me, so maybe I'll sort of kind of consider stopping people from taking everything thing else from you now that you have and are nothing. Unless it's someone I like and want to look good in front of.

So - someone else is bothering you? Well, fuck - give them your lunch money again. Yes, I know I already took it, but give it to them again if you want to survive. I won't help you, regardless of everything I ever said.

What is wrong with you? Why did you wear Star Trek Extra gear to visit the White House?

We're back to the days of the Sandinistas and Viet Cong.

Nope; we are way way way past this, too.

If the choice is between three superpowers, USA, Russia or China, all of them unethical, all of them driven by seeking dominance at the expense of smaller countries, then the USA is not a great choice because it’s present government is unpredictable, prone to tantrums and unstable. I’d want to know what the other two were offering.

Today’s world is a mix of pre-WWI multipolar tension, Cold War-style rivalries, and 1930s economic and political shifts. The key question is: Are we heading toward a major global conflict, or will diplomacy and deterrence hold things together?

Incredible comments on this thread

Saying Trump didn't back down over tariffs. Hilarious. Only Maga see the optics that way

Commenting on chinas human rights. Excellent whataboutery. As it happens I do avoid buying Chinese goods where possible, due to their outrageous concentration camps. But ffs, Trump is cosying up to Russia, so well known for freedom of speech and human rights???But to a certain extent, why should we care about china, I mean it's not close to us, not our circus?

There are some correct comments about US citizens not having a clue about the war of special relationship, well yes many haven't got a clue with a map

Sorry - if Canada sees U.S. actions as economic warfare? He has clearly stated his intention to annex us through economic force.

Look, I've tried to be somewhat polite and constructive, but do know that I see the US as out most immediate enemy, as do the VAST majority of Canadians. We also are coming to expect military invasion. While it's a war we may not win, we will defend our country, whether it's in the course of invasion or decades of insurgency. If the US invades, we will make it painful and do all we can to drain your resources - and what a lovely opening for China that will be!

I am straining to temper my comments but, suffice to say, I think most of us would feel a certain way towards those who would threaten their country with annexation, and the civilians who are supportive of it.

Oh yes and the issue of university protests.

So in the US the protests on unis would be illegal. Fine I get that, your laws, up to you, even though I might raise my eyebrow re freedom of speech, and the comments made did sound very much like threats.

But, in the uk we have laws about protests round abortion clinics. But your esteemed vice bully Vance pathetically made comments about a silent protestor being arrested in the uk at one.

Why is this any different? They are quite similar to me?

The United States and Canada have a long, complicated history partners when it’s convenient, rivals when necessary. But enemies? You see, real power doesn’t come from threats or bravado. It comes from leverage, from knowing when to push and when to pull back. And Canada, well… you may not like our methods, but you’d do well to recognize the realities of the world we live in.

The U.S. doesn’t need to invade Canada. We’ve already got more influence than you care to admit. Trade, defense, culture our fingerprints are all over your country. And if that makes you uncomfortable, well, you might want to ask yourself how it happened in the first place.

MAGA is definitely on this thread, being very vocal. That still doesn't make them right.

So prove us wrong

We have. Just truth social tells you otherwise

??

the bottom line without america, the world would be a very different place

As an example Without the American Revolution, the British Empire might have remained the dominant global power for much longer, shaping the modern world in its own image. European empires would have had less resistance to their colonial ambitions, potentially delaying independence movements across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

The absence of American military and economic power in the 20th century would have left Europe more vulnerable in both World Wars, possibly leading to a German-dominated continent or a prolonged Soviet expansion. The Cold War, if it happened at all, would have played out very differently, with no superpower to counterbalance the USSR.

So in short, we may not be perfect but in the words of sheldon cooper, your welcome.

Your "methods" have been in place for all of a couple of months and are clearly not the only way in which economic success and both nations' national security would be achieved.

It is entirely normal to be influenced, in all manner of ways, by friendly neighbours. If the US is declaring that relationship over, then how do you expect us to respond?

We are now steps to reduce that influence and you (and various other Americans posting on here) are whinging about it and feeling hard done by! You cannot have it both ways.

I will say it is genuinely quite disgusting having to try and civilly engage with you on this and I've reached the end of my tether with it.

Wishing you all the worst.