[sebmellen]

Yes, and that’s always mysteriously forgotten in these conversations.

Historically, China stole US IP and software, like Windows, en masse. Now they refuse to import our main export product — software — while we import their physical products and software like TikTok.

If we were allowed to export our services to China in exchange, this would be a very different geopolitical moment.

[vkou]

> If we were allowed to export our services to China in exchange, this would be a very different geopolitical moment.

No, it wouldn't, just look at how Canada's being treated. The mothership would just broadcast different excuses.

[sebmellen]

What would it take for Canada to hit 2%?

https://globalnews.ca/news/11050336/canada-defence-spending-...

The US massively subsidizes Canada’s national defense and energy production (crude oil refining).

[vkou]

Thank you for providing me a front-row example of it. There's always one bullshit excuse or another.

In reality, the US suppresses Canada's national defense, because for some weird reason, it doesn't want a heavily-armed neighbor.

As for energy, for every dollar of it that it buys, it derives far more than a dollar of economic utility from it, which is why it's screaming bloody murder at the mere mention of Canada turning off, or adding surcharges at the tap.

All this is why in 2025, one would have to be an utter fool to expect America to keep faith.

[sebmellen]

In reality, Canadians have bravely fought and died for American interests in the Middle East. Don’t take any of this as my personal view, or as a repudiation of the interpersonal camaraderie that Americans, by and large, still feel with Canadians (although I understand it’s no longer universally reciprocated).

However, as a matter of industrial economic reality, NAFTA likely benefited Canada more than it did the US, and the US does subsidize NATO and Canadian defense by extension. What barriers are there to an independent Canadian defense industry?

(Although I would argue that NAFTA benefited both countries, and we should continue our free trade agreements!)

[bmandale]

>What barriers are there to an independent Canadian defense industry?

A defense industry is intertwined with a industry for civilians, for example in aeronautics. Certain nearby trading partners have historically stymied attempts to maintain such an industry.

[sebmellen]

On the contrary, NAFTA supported Canadian industry! Auto, agriculture, energy, you name it.

[victor106]

I agree, even though I don’t agree with how these tarrifs were implemented I don’t have any sympathy for China. President Trump is absolutely right when he says China took full advantage of the US policies.