First Nations leader who had 'intense' talk with Trump considered leaving before president landed
Instead, Steven Crowchild prayed, consulted with Indigenous leaders and ultimately opted to stay for a conversation with Trump that he hopes will bring attention to promoting peace, protecting clean water and other issues he says are key to First Nations.
"It was really intense, to say the least," Crowchild, a council member of the Tsuut'ina Nation west of Calgary, told The Associated Press of his lengthy encounter with Trump on Sunday night.
"When I woke up on Father's Day, I didn't anticipate I would be seeing world leaders, and one certain individual that has caused much pain and suffering in the world."
WATCH | Trump seen stopping to speak with Crowchild:
Trump arrives in Alberta for G7 summit
9 hours ago
Duration 3:27
U.S. President Donald Trump arrived in Calgary on Sunday for the G7 summit, which will bring together many world leaders in Kananaskis. Trump was greeted by several Canadian officials, including Foreign Minister Anita Anand and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.
Crowchild said he spoke in his people's traditional language, wore feathered headgear that made him feel strong and showed Trump treaty medals that he told the president were older than Canada itself.
Trump wore a white "Make America Great Again" cap and appeared to be listening at length — though both sides declined to comment on exactly what was said.
"When it came to that one individual, I almost didn't stay. I was filled with rage," Crowchild said. "I was going to go home because I didn't want to bring any negativity to my people. However, I did consult with close people and advisers and, based on feedback, I stayed, considering that visibility is key and diplomacy is important."
Crowchild said he "prayed to my Creator" and "really thought of those suffering around the world" in choosing to speak to Trump.
"Instead of war, I choose peace," he said.
Crowchild said that, in addition to Trump, he greeted other world leaders and "tried to remind each one of them to try to be a good leader and protect our water for future generations."
Bearspaw Nation Chief Darcy Dixon was part of the receiving line for leaders earlier in the day, but was not present for Trump's receiving line.
"I spoke for my elders," Crowchild said, noting that he spoke of promoting peace and tried to "say as much as I could, as wisely as I could, while representing with honour and dignity. Whether he listened or not, time will tell."
He said that, ultimately, the U.S. president is "just another person."
"Some would say he's a horrible person, and we all know many reasons," Crowchild said. "I stood taller than him as proud Tsuut'ina Isgiya."
"outlandish" and "disrespectful."
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Toronto Sun
18 minutes ago
- Toronto Sun
Canada weighs retaliation cost against Trump tariffs as analysts warn hitting back isn't worth it
Published Aug 02, 2025 • Last updated 10 minutes ago • 4 minute read Tractor trailers entering the U.S. from Canada at the Pacific Highway Border Crossing in Blaine, Washington, on Monday, March 3, 2025. Photo by David Ryder / Bloomberg Canada's decision to retaliate against U.S. tariffs earlier this year appears to be driving a divergence in how President Donald Trump is dealing with America's neighbours. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Until this week, Canada and Mexico received similar treatment in White House trade actions. Each was subject to a 25% base tariff, with a large exemption for goods shipped under the North American free trade pact known as CUSMA (or USMCA). That changed on Thursday, when Trump granted Mexico a 90-day pause on tariff hikes while jacking up its tax on Canadian products to 35%. The administration said Canada's higher rate was a response to fentanyl trafficking and its moves to hit back with counter-tariffs. The situation leaves Prime Minister Mark Carney with a political dilemma. On one hand, he won an election by promising a muscular approach to the trade war, saying the government would use tariffs to cause 'maximum pain' in the US. His voters remember that, and some want him to punch back. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Yet the retaliatory measures already undertaken failed to prevent further escalations. Instead, they appear to have emboldened Trump's team to hit even harder. U.S. administration officials including Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick frequently talk about how only two countries retaliated against Trump's tariffs — the other was China. 'Canada's retaliatory trade measures against the United States further complicate bilateral efforts to address this escalating drug crisis,' the White House said in a fact sheet, referencing fentanyl. But Mexico is a much larger source of shipments of the drug into the U.S., according to Customs and Border Protection data. Carney, an economist and former central banker, has also made it plain he believes retaliation can only go so far. In fact, his government has watered down Canada's counter-tariffs with a number of exemptions, declined to increase them when the U.S. lifted steel and aluminum tariffs to 50% and scrapped a tax on technology services at Trump's request. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Dominic LeBlanc, the minister in charge of trade talks, told Radio-Canada on Friday the government hasn't made any decisions about further retaliation. But Carney is clearly reluctant to do so — which 'reflects the reality that counter-tariffs are understood to be economically harmful to the country which imposes them,' said David Collins, a professor specializing in international trade at City St George's, University of London. The government's priority is to keep the CUSMA carve-out that dramatically lowers the real tax on Canadian goods. The effective U.S. tariff rate on Canada is about 6.3%, according to Bank of Nova Scotia economists. 'A more diplomatic approach is likely to bear more fruit with the Americans,' Collins said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Canada imposed two rounds of counter-tariffs in March, when Justin Trudeau was in his final days as prime minister. The first placed 25% levies on about $30 billion of imports from the U.S. that included food items, clothing and motorcycles. The second came when Trump put tariffs on steel and aluminum. Then, when Trump added tariffs to foreign automobiles, Carney essentially matched that move, imposing similar fees on U.S. cars and trucks. But in mid-April, the government unveiled a series of exemptions for business inputs — goods imported for use in manufacturing and food packaging, as well as things needed for health care, public safety and security. Automakers such as General Motors Co. and Honda Motor Co. that make vehicles at Canadian plants were also made eligible for relief from import taxes. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The large majority of U.S. products can still enter Canada tariff-free. U.S. companies and other entities exported about $440 billion of goods and services to Canada last year — more than to any other nation. For Canada, 'the logic for escalation over cooperation is just weak,' said Oliver Lavelle, global macro strategist at Thiel Macro LLC. Mexico's Way Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, in contrast, has never imposed counter-tariffs on the U.S. Sheinbaum's position is also supported by her high approval ratings, which have remained above 75% in most polls. 'It's worth saying: President Trump treats us with respect in all the calls we've had, and we do too,' she said during a new conference. 'We may not agree, but the treatment is respectful.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. A statement issued late Thursday night by Carney's office expressed disappointment in Trump's tariff hike on Canada, but made no mention of retaliation. A spokesperson for Carney declined to comment further. LeBlanc said he met with Lutnick on Tuesday night, and that Canadian officials held other meetings throughout the week, but a deal acceptable to both sides 'was not yet visible.' In his statement, Carney acknowledged that lumber, steel, aluminum and autos are still subject to U.S. levies, and said his government 'will act to protect Canadian jobs, invest in our industrial competitiveness, buy Canadian, and diversify its export markets.' 'Jitters' But while the CUSMA exemption gives Canada some breathing room, the sectoral tariffs on steel and aluminum are still harmful and will affect economic growth if they're in place for long, Collins said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Avery Shenfeld, chief economist at Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, said the idea that Canada is getting off lightly is 'both overstated and potentially premature.' Canadian industries are more reliant on U.S. exports than their overseas competitors, and Trump could also chose to weaken the CUSMA exemption at any time, he said in a note to investors. 'We are still hopeful for a deal that relieves at least some of the pressure on base metal exporters,' Shenfeld said. 'But whether any of this lasts will depend on Trump's word, and we've seen how shaky that foundation can be, leaving jitters that could impact business capital spending and confidence ahead.' —With assistance from Mario Baker Ramirez and Carolina Millan. Read More Toronto Blue Jays Columnists Columnists Toronto & GTA Canada
Toronto Sun
an hour ago
- Toronto Sun
JONAH GOLDBERG: Why MAGA's ideologues can't always get what they want
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, July 16, 2025. Photo by Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images MAGA has a problem, in the form of Donald Trump. Put simply: MAGA wants to define what MAGA (or 'America first') means, and Trump wants it to mean whatever he says at any given moment. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account I should offer a little definitional clarity and political nuance. Make America Great Again means different things to different people. The Trump coalition is not monolithic, it contains factions that do not necessarily consider themselves to be MAGA. But as shorthand, MAGA is an identifiably distinct bloc on the right, and it's the dominant faction in the broader GOP coalition. Its internal diversity notwithstanding, it still has a worldview or ideology. And the MAGA faithful are increasingly frustrated by the fact that Trump doesn't always share, or prioritize, that ideology. They believed that if you could just 'let Trump be Trump' he would follow their conception of MAGA. 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But now the same people are learning that Trump won't be saddled by his fans any more than he is by norms. This was always going to be the case (as I noted in 2017 ), but what adds to MAGA's frustration is that anyone can see and copy the bull-handling techniques that are most likely to work. Compliment him, call him 'daddy,' celebrate his genius and expertise, and you too can manipulate him with at least moderate success. Perhaps most significant, it's becoming clear that a movement defined by loyalty to a mercurial personality is bound to split apart once that personality leaves the stage — if not sooner. — Jonah Goldberg is editor-in-chief of The Dispatch and the host of The Remnant podcast. His Twitter handle is @JonahDispatch. Read More Toronto Blue Jays Columnists Canada Sunshine Girls Toronto & GTA
Winnipeg Free Press
an hour ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
From Laos to Brazil, Trump's tariffs leave a lot of losers. But even the winners will pay a price
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump's tariff onslaught this week left a lot of losers – from small, poor countries like Laos and Algeria to wealthy U.S. trading partners like Canada and Switzerland. They're now facing especially hefty taxes – tariffs – on the products they export to the United States starting Aug. 7. The closest thing to winners may be the countries that caved to Trump's demands — and avoided even more pain. But it's unclear whether anyone will be able to claim victory in the long run — even the United States, the intended beneficiary of Trump's protectionist policies. 'In many respects, everybody's a loser here,'' said Barry Appleton, co-director of the Center for International Law at the New York Law School. Barely six months after he returned to the White House, Trump has demolished the old global economic order. Gone is one built on agreed-upon rules. In its place is a system in which Trump himself sets the rules, using America's enormous economic power to punish countries that won't agree to one-sided trade deals and extracting huge concessions from the ones that do. 'The biggest winner is Trump,' said Alan Wolff, a former U.S. trade official and deputy director-general at the World Trade Organization. 'He bet that he could get other countries to the table on the basis of threats, and he succeeded – dramatically.'' Everything goes back to what Trump calls 'Liberation Day'' – April 2 – when the president announced 'reciprocal'' taxes of up to 50% on imports from countries with which the United States ran trade deficits and 10% 'baseline'' taxes on almost everyone else. He invoked a 1977 law to declare the trade deficit a national emergency that justified his sweeping import taxes. That allowed him to bypass Congress, which traditionally has had authority over taxes, including tariffs — all of which is now being challenged in court. Winners will still pay higher tariffs than before Trump took office Trump retreated temporarily after his Liberation Day announcement triggered a rout in financial markets and suspended the reciprocal tariffs for 90 days to give countries a chance to negotiate. Eventually, some of them did, caving to Trump's demands to pay what four months ago would have seemed unthinkably high tariffs for the privilege of continuing to sell into the vast American market. The United Kingdom agreed to 10% tariffs on its exports to the United States — up from 1.3% before Trump amped up his trade war with the world. The U.S. demanded concessions even though it had run a trade surplus, not a deficit, with the UK for 19 straight years. The European Union and Japan accepted U.S. tariffs of 15%. Those are much higher than the low single-digit rates they paid last year — but lower than the tariffs he was threatening (30% on the EU and 25% on Japan). Also cutting deals with Trump and agreeing to hefty tariffs were Pakistan, South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines. Even countries that saw their tariffs lowered from April without reaching a deal are still paying much higher tariffs than before Trump took office. Angola's tariff, for instance, dropped to 15% from 32% in April, but in 2022 it was less than 1.5%. And while Trump administration cut Taiwan's tariff to 20% from 32% in April, the pain will still be felt. '20% from the beginning has not been our goal, we hope that in further negotiations we will get a more beneficial and more reasonable tax rate,' Taiwan's president Lai Ching-te told reporters in Taipei Friday. Trump also agreed to reduce the tariff on the tiny southern African kingdom of Lesotho to 15% from the 50% he'd announced in April, but the damage may already have been done there. Bashing Brazil, clobbering Canada, shellacking the Swiss Countries that didn't knuckle under — and those that found other ways to incur Trump's wrath — got hit harder. Even some of the poor were not spared. Laos' annual economic output comes to $2,100 per person and Algeria's $5,600 — versus America's $75,000. Nonetheless, Laos got rocked with a 40% tariff and Algeria with a 30% levy. Trump slammed Brazil with a 50% import tax largely because he didn't like the way it was treating former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who is facing trial for trying to lose his electoral defeat in 2022. Never mind that the U.S. has exported more to Brazil than it's imported every year since 2007. Trump's decision to plaster a 35% tariff on longstanding U.S. ally Canada was partly designed to threaten Ottawa for saying it would recognize a Palestinian state. Trump is a staunch supporter of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Switzerland was clobbered with a 39% import tax — even higher than the 31% Trump originally announced on April 2. 'The Swiss probably wish that they had camped in Washington' to make a deal, said Wolff, now senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. 'They're clearly not at all happy.'' Fortunes may change if Trump's tariffs are upended in court. Five American businesses and 12 states are suing the president, arguing that his Liberation Day tariffs exceeded his authority under the 1977 law. In May, the U.S. Court of International Trade, a specialized court in New York, agreed and blocked the tariffs, although the government was allowed to continue collecting them while its appeal wend its way through the legal system, and may likely end up at the U.S. Supreme Court. In a hearing Thursday, the judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit sounded skeptical about Trump's justifications for the tariffs. 'If (the tariffs) get struck down, then maybe Brazil's a winner and not a loser,'' Appleton said. Paying more for knapsacks and video games Trump portrays his tariffs as a tax on foreign countries. But they are actually paid by import companies in the U.S. who try to pass along the cost to their customers via higher prices. True, tariffs can hurt other countries by forcing their exporters to cut prices and sacrifice profits — or risk losing market share in the United States. But economists at Goldman Sachs estimate that overseas exporters have absorbed just one-fifth of the rising costs from tariffs, while Americans and U.S. businesses have picked up the most of the tab. Walmart, Procter & Gamble, Ford, Best Buy, Adidas, Nike, Mattel and Stanley Black & Decker, have all hiked prices due to U.S. tariffs Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. 'This is a consumption tax, so it disproportionately affects those who have lower incomes,' Appleton said. 'Sneakers, knapsacks … your appliances are going to go up. Your TV and electronics are going to go up. Your video game devices, consoles are going to up because none of those are made in America.'' Trump's trade war has pushed the average U.S. tariff from 2.5% at the start of 2025 to 18.3% now, the highest since 1934, according to the Budget Lab at Yale University. And that will impose a $2,400 cost on the average household, the lab estimates. 'The U.S. consumer's a big loser,″ Wolff said. ____ AP Economics Writer Christopher Rugaber contributed to this story.
