Apparently Canada is not allowed to make an agreement with the European Union to have closer ties. Donald Trump will not permit it.

trump says such a deal would be “laughable. But he doesn’t appear to be laughing.

Such an agreement, he said, would be a “hostile act.” If it comes to pass, Trump says the US will impose“very serious tariffs or stop trading with Europe”.

I wonder how American exporters feel about their president cutting off two of their biggest markets?

I also wonder if there is anyone in the White House with the courage to tell Trump he has no authority over what other countries do. And that he looks foolish when he says things like that.

Having been a political staffer, I know that one of the key responsibilities is to tell the truth, no matter the consequences. Especially when your boss is about to make a complete idiot of himself or herself.

To do the job right, you have to be prepared to be fired when your advice is rejected. If you can’t do that you shouldn’t have taken the job.

In my case that is more than theory. For eight years I worked for a very passionate Canadian MP with a somewhat mercurial temper. I think I was fired three times for advocating for what was right as opposed to making a bad move in anger.

(Understanding the MP involved, I attributed my firing to the passion of the moment. I just showed up for work as usual the next day. No mention was ever made of my termination(s). I never asked if he had reconsidered or just forgotten.)

In this blog, back in Trump’s first term, I offered my services. He didn’t take me up on it. ( A quick search didn’t turn up the offer, but I remember it. I’m just not willing to wade through a hundred posts looking for it.)

Working for Donald Trump is I am sure difficult. And being fired by him can be just the beginning of a new set of problems for the former staffer – Trump has gained a reputation for seeking vengeneance.

Still, it is a pity that the White House doesn’t attract people able to give the president good advice. America is the poorer for it.