Cultural, Economic, and Political Influence: The US Grip on Canada
Trump’s latest threats expose a long-standing imbalance of economic pressure, cultural dominance, and the quiet control from our so-called ally.
The days between Canada Day and the Fourth of July always carry a certain contrast. This year, that contrast felt more like a collision.
Because while Americans prepped for fireworks, Canadians were once again reckoning with our proximity to a political force that refuses to play fair, and is no longer pretending to.
Donald Trump didn’t invent America’s dominance over Canada, but he’s made it impossible to ignore.
Neocolonialism, rebranded as besties
Canada has often been described as the US’s closest ally, but what’s rarely said is how often that “alliance” comes with conditions, pressure, and strategic dependence.
Neocolonialism doesn’t require flags or formal rule. It works through economic dominance, cultural saturation, and political leverage. And Canada has lived in that shadow for decades.
→ Our economy is deeply tied to US markets
→ Our manufacturing sector, especially auto production, is deeply integrated with US supply chains, leaving little room for independent decision-making
→ Our media, politics, and public discourse are heavily influenced by American narratives
→ Our military positioning often mirrors theirs
→ Our policy autonomy is frequently tested when US interests shift
This isn't new, but it is increasingly visible.
Trump didn’t create the imbalance. He just took off the mask.
In late June, Trump said:
“Economically, we have power over Canada. We don’t want to use it, but…”
That was a statement of intent. Trump understands that influence over Canada has always been quietly exercised. He’s just not interested in subtlety.
When Canada proposed a digital services tax that would affect US tech giants, Trump responded by cutting off trade talks and threatening retaliation. Days later, Canada withdrew.
Let’s pause for a minute.
I’m not here to claim superior insight into the mechanics of trade, or what decisions best serve Canadians in the long run. I trust that Carney and his team know way more than I ever will about this stuff, and they’re weighing far more than what’s visible from the outside.
But it’s not difficult to see how, on the surface, some may have interpreted it as submission. Not to mention, after years of Trump bulldozing through every fucking thing, it’s no surprise that it hit a collective nerve.
We are just so very tired of watching this man get his way. Every. Damn. Time.
A wake-up call
However, if there’s one unintended outcome of Trump’s aggression toward Canada, it’s that he’s woken us up.
Many Canadians have long believed that cooperation with the US was the safest, smartest path. But there’s a growing recognition that our sovereignty is fragile when so much of it hinges on whether the White House respects it.
And when that White House is occupied by someone like Trump (a transactional, volatile, and deeply vengeful, garbage human) we begin to see how quickly our “friendship” can be weaponized.
The stakes are higher than tariffs
This isn’t just about tech taxes or dairy quotas., it’s about control. And Canada has what Trump wants (even though he says he doesn’t neeeeed anything from us)…
→ Vast freshwater reserves
→ Critical minerals for global energy dominance
→ Arctic access and security leverage
→ Energy infrastructure
→ Lumber and forest Products
And some of what he doesn’t…
→ A center-left national identity that stands in contrast to their far-right agenda
→ A nation with a strong commitment to peace, democracy, and the rule of law
→ A population that largely believes in equality, respect, diversity, and inclusion
To an administration bent on dominance, chaos, and isolationism, we’re a very inconvenient neighbour.
And they’d rather see us silenced, absorbed, or undermined.
Where we go from here
We’ve spent a long time telling ourselves that being close to the US meant we were partners. But more and more, it’s clear that we’ve been under their thumb in ways we didn’t even realize or want to admit.
Trump didn’t create the power imbalance but he’s loud enough to make it impossible to ignore. And now that we see it, we can’t go back to pretending it’s not there.
As we become more aware of how much influence the US has had over our economy, our culture, our politics, we need to make it clear that we’re not okay with it anymore.
As Prime Minister Mark Carney put it, “We can give ourselves far more than the Americans can ever take away. And we will.”
To an administration bent on dominance, chaos, and isolationism, we’re an inconvenient neighbour.
And they’d rather see us silenced, absorbed, or undermined.
🔐 BONUS SECTION FOR PAID SUBSCRIBERS: If you thought this was just about trade and politics, this next part may surprise you…
Fighting back against American media domination
For most of my life, I didn’t question how much American culture shaped what I watched, listened to, or thought about.
American shows, music, headlines, trends - I thought it was just part of sharing a continent with an entertainment superpower. But as I just recently started paying attention to how power flows between our countries, I noticed something surprising…
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