August 1 was tariff day, the day Donald Trump was to announce what financial penalties he was going to levy on Canada for selling Americans the oil, gas and electricity they need. Earlier in 2025 people waited for those announcements, wondering how Trump’s tariff wars would impact them personally and Canada as a nation.

No-one cares anymore. Trump has united Canadians under the MAGA banner – Make America Go Away.

Can his policies hurt us as a nation? Without a doubt. But that hurt compares in comparison with the damage he has already done to the United States.

Once seen as a world leader, a bastion of democracy and a nation to be emulated, in just six months Donald Trump has destroyed the last century of good will. His lies and continual flip flops on policy mean that other countries just don’t trust him. On anything.

He wants Canada to kick in $60 billion to take part in a “Golden Dome” missile defence system. Sounds like a great deal, until you remember that these missiles aren’t aimed at Canada. Maybe we should put the idea up for bids.

The Russians might be interested in a defence agreement with Canada. And Vladimir Putin, who probably qualifies as a war criminal at best, seems better than Trump at honoring his agreements. And Putin isn’t suggesting Canada would be better off as a Russian oblast.

The fact is that having lost trust, it will be decades, if ever, before the United States regains its standing in the world. When policy is enacted at the whim of the president, when trade deals are broken and treaties ignored, why would anyone trust a new administration once Trump leaves, if indeed he does leave.

Congress has enabled him. The judiciary has enabled him and, though my American friends tell me I am wrong, the American people have enabled him. The evolution from democracy to fascist dictatorship has been swifter than anyone would have imagined.

Trump can levy all the tariffs he likes. As he builds his protectionist wall, he will soon discover that the rest of the world is tired of him and his untrustworthiness. I can see the day coming when no-one will be buying American goods. The countries of the word will trade among themselves ad not bother with the United States.

Donald Trump’s contribution to history may be to Make America Irrelevant. For the first time ever.