President Trump does not seem to notice or care that if you betray people, or jerk them around, they will revile you. Over the last few weeks, the Europeans have gone from shock to bewilderment to revulsion. This period was for them what 9/11 was for us – the stripping away of illusions, the exposure of an existential threat. The Europeans have realized that America, the nation they thought was their friend, is actually a rogue superpower. – David Brooks, writing in the New York Times, March 13, 2025.

It seemed rather appropriate that today, the Ides of March, I post this short passage about betrayal that struck me as encapsulating the relationship between America and the world.

It was equating aftermath of Donald Trump’s actions with 9/11 that resonated with me most. That event shook the American people and has shaped foreign and domestic policy since. Trumps tariffs, and his willingness to feed a democratic ally to a dictatorship are having the same effect in teh western world taht 9/11 had on Americans.

Friendship can survive disagreement. Just the other evening I was having a spirited political discussion with a friend who sees the direction Canada is going much differently than the way I see it. When the election is held we will support different parties. Neither of of us said anything to change the others’ mind.

But a political disagreement has nothing to do with our friendship. We can agree to disagree. Many, maybe even most, of my friends don’t share my political views. I’m mildly saddened by that, but I understand they have a different perspective and different priorities. Whichever party forms the next government is not going to affect our friendship.

Betrayal though is something different. Canadians feel the United States, through the actions of its president, has betrayed us. while that may be forgiven in time, it will never be forgotten. Trust is gone as this administration has broken the law (the same one that Donald Trump called the best trade deal ever), threatened to take over our country and shown a disregard for democracy and world peace.

There may be a new American administration in 2029, but trust won’t return. We have seen how much signed agreements mean to the United States, how much they value us as neighbours. Why should we trust the next guy or girl? We won’t get fooled again into thinking the United States of America is a country that can be trusted. Such is the result of betrayal.

Of course it isn’t just the nations of the world that have been betrayed by Donald Trump, he is betraying his own people. His isolationist/protectionist policies will not make America great again. Things are going to get worse, probably worldwide, if Trump continues his present path.