EDITOR:

It is a pure entitlement mentality for one country to demand we purchase their goods if they haven’t been doing likewise. Could you imagine Walmart sending you a nasty gram for not shopping there? As a Canadian born American citizen, who happens to be a Trump supporter, I am frustrated with the majority of Canadians and their continued ignorance. The issue of tariffs proposed by Mr Trump.

Canada, hypocritically, remains among the most closed economies in the G8. America’s few remaining stalwart consumer industries such as banking, airline companies, breweries, sports and media are faced with onerous restrictions and taxes in Canada. America’s generous business climate is not reciprocally enacted in other countries, specifically Canada.

While Canadians boo our national anthem in the “Bell” Center hockey stadium in Montreal, Americans politely watch the tournament at TD Gardens in Boston. “Bell” Canada is a massive Canadian telecommunications behemoth that enjoys protectionist policies protecting it’s near monopoly of the Canadian telecommunications market. Ironically, Boston’s TD stands for Toronto Dominion bank. How many Canadians would ever dream of allowing an American Bank own one of its Canadian rinks? Furthermore, in other banking unfairness, many Americans have had consumer loans underwritten by BMO Harris (Bank of Montreal). However, no private Canadian consumer has any exposure to any of America’s highly successful banks. (Unless they are snowbirds in Florida)

Protectionist policies in Canada, along with subsidies of Canadian companies, are ignorantly viewed by Canadians as cultural perseverance. For example, Canadian radio stations must play a minimum content of Canadian born artists.

Even sports leagues are regulated. The NFL is locked out of Canada in the name of protecting the CFL. (Canadian Football League). I only met one Canadian who ever attended a CFL game. But it’s protected. I once watched an NFL game in Canada piped in by a Canadian cable company; The million dollar a minute American commercials were swapped for Bob’s snowmobile shop.

These are only tips of the iceberg. Mr Trump is right to reclaim America’s rightful place on the world stage. Reciprocity of tariffs is a good step to ensure fairness. The entitlement mentality of Canada and Europe that they somehow deserve their current one way trade with us is wrong. Their overt anger when Americans stick up for themselves shows the shallowness of their friendship.

David Micola,

Escanaba