Cranes and cargo ships with containers are seen near a building of China Customs at the Yantian port in Shenzhen, China on April 17.Tingshu Wang/Reuters
Upper hand
Re “China says ‘door is wide open’ to talks after Trump suggests tariffs U-turn” (April 23) : It seems quite clear to me that the U.S. needs China more than vice versa.
Rare earth, magnets, the speed of innovation and infrastructure development and the effectiveness of China’s global response to U.S. threats is in direct opposition to U.S. President Donald Trump’s lack of a detailed industrial plan, his focus on tariffs, having nothing essential to China and, most importantly, the ineffectiveness of Mr. Trump’s threatening and bullying of other countries.
The bluster plays well with the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement but nowhere else. America’s leverage over China only exists in Trump’s and his sycophants’ minds.
David Tanner Calgary
Take stock
Re “Donald Trump is the cautionary tale Canada needs to heed” (Opinion, April 23): While I have considerable respect for U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski for regularly voting against Donald Trump’s preferred issues, her recent words – “we are all afraid” – are interesting yet irrelevant.
She and her fellow Republicans in Congress have gone along with the U.S. President, enabling him to grab more power while he openly dismantles the most prized American norms and institutions.
Americans voted for Republicans to uphold the U.S. Constitution and put checks on their leader. The time is now to step up or step down and resign. Fears and tears are so self-indulgent.
Marty Cutler Toronto
The article very aptly captures what Canada needs to pay careful attention to lest we become victims of a fascist leader.
While I do agree that we don’t have anything close to the likes of Mr. Trump in rhetoric or action, we ought to remember that these events start as rumblings that we pay very little attention to, until it’s too late.
Donald Trump started his rant against government long before he entered politics.
Sadly, those rumblings have already been seen and heard in Canadian politics.
Nesen Naidoo Drayton Valley, Alta.
As a U.S. citizen, I write with profound concern and regret regarding President Trump’s recent actions toward Canada. His treatment of our closest ally is a source of deep embarrassment and dismay. I want to express my sincere sorrow to the Canadian people for the disrespect shown.
Please know that the U.S. President’s rhetoric does not reflect the sentiments of most Americans. We value our long-standing friendship and deeply respect Canada’s contributions to our shared history and values.
We stand in solidarity with Canada’s efforts to counter these divisive actions and reaffirm our commitment to a strong, respectful and co-operative relationship. We believe that diplomacy and mutual respect are the cornerstones of a healthy alliance, and we are determined to uphold these principles.
Edward Cox San Antonio, Tex.
Balancing act
Re “Poilievre counts on the budget (almost) balancing itself” (April 23): Budgets don’t balance themselves, but in the case of the federal government, which owns a central bank, balance should never be a target. Rather the government should aim to keep everyone productively employed.
Under-budgeting that tolerates needless poverty and unemployment not only forgoes useful production, but also causes needless pain to many Canadians and their families. Statistics Canada counted 1.5 million unemployed people in March.
During the depths of the Great Depression when governments were cutting spending, British economist John Maynard Keynes stated: “I do not believe that measures which truly enrich the country will injure the public credit. It is the burden of unemployment and the decline in the national income which are upsetting the Budget. Look after the unemployment, and the Budget will look after itself.”
Larry Kazdan Vancouver
Wedge issue
Re “Same playbook” (Letters, April 23): This letter suggests that our election is about leadership. But, for me, there is a clinching issue. That would be Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s pledge to defund the English-language CBC.
Canada’s public broadcaster enriches my retirement years − it is stimulating, informative, entertaining and reassuring among other worthy qualities.
At a time when Canada is under a lot of stress, how can it possibly be useful to weaken one of the few institutions that strengthen Canada and unite (most) Canadians?
Ian Guthrie Ottawa
Keep in check
Re “Ontario to take control of London school board over financial-management concerns, launch probes into three others” (April 24): Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra noted “mismanagement and misplaced priorities” as part of the reason some school boards are being investigated by his ministry.
This includes Toronto District School Board, an organization long overdue for some oversight.
It is beyond comprehension that a board so far in debt would spend upward of $180,000 to rename three TDSB schools that bear the names of Canada’s first prime minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, British politician Henry Dundas and Egerton Ryerson, the founder of public education in Ontario – despite significant opposition from historians.
This board needs to focus on education and management, not misguided politicking.
J. D. M. Stewart Toronto
Pet politics
Re “Landlords across Canada should be forced to let tenants keep pets, housing minister says” (April 24): While I appreciate the importance of pets to families, requiring landlords to allow tenants to have pets, regardless of type or size, will result in fewer homeowners renting out their properties as a result of concerns about damage caused by pets, odours and noise.
For multiple unit dwellings, the same problems are multiplied. Some condos are increasingly implementing DNA testing for pets so that damages to common areas can be traced back to owners.
While landlords can evict tenants, both with and without pets, the process takes months, if not years, in Ontario. Recovering unpaid rent and damages is far from an easy task.
That’s just what we need now, Mr. Erskine-Smith – reasons not to rent or build rentals when there is a shortage of this type of accommodation.
Richard Austin Toronto
Lasting legacy
Re “More than 20,000 mourners watch Pope Francis’s procession” (April 24): In January, 2015, I saw Pope Francis speak to the crowds at St. Peter’s Square. The joy he inspired that day was matched by his compassion and open heart.
His papal name came from St. Francis of Assisi, and he more than honoured that venerable legacy with his focus on the environment, reconciliation and the vulnerable.
His path is the future of the Catholic Church, and he will be missed.
Ryan Hamilton Toronto
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