Opinion | Trump needs to ask himself why Canada doesn’t want in - Toronto Star

Rather than ratcheting up tariffs, Trump and his colleagues should be asking why a country they view as nothing more than 'a little yippee dog' would so vehemently oppose becoming part of the wealthiest, and most powerful country on Earth. 

President Donald Trump waves as he arrives on Air Force One, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, at Joint Base Andrews, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Barbara Yaffe is a former national columnist and longtime editor and reporter for newspapers across the Canada.

In the midst of an expanding trade war, the Trump regime doubtless is asking itself how to further tariff and strong-arm Canada so that we finally capitulate and accept the idea of becoming a 51st state.

But U.S. President Donald Trump and his cabinet colleagues are asking themselves the wrong question.

They should be asking why it is that Canada, a country they view as nothing more than “little yippee dog” — Commerce Secretary Scott Bessent’s words — would so vehemently oppose becoming part of the wealthiest, and most powerful country on Earth. 

As Trump has extolled innumerable times, “We are the hottest country on Earth.” U.S. GDP per capita is among the highest in the world at $94,430 (U.S.), compared to $60,300 (U.S.) on this side of the border. 

In the past MAGA Republicans have gone so far as to suggest that Canada lacks gratitude for being invited into the fold. After all, residents of Puerto Rico, a self-governing Caribbean archipelago designated by the courts as an unincorporated territory — belonging to the U.S. but not on a direct path to statehood — has for years been yearning to become the 51st state.

While Trump’s trade war clearly is a lose-lose for all involved, America could truly benefit, and gain important new insights by determining why the countries Trump is courting are all running in an opposite direction. Greenland, Iceland and almost certainly, Mexico appear to want no part of being American.

Canadians can only imagine why those other countries consider the U.S. an unpalatable option but they certainly know why Canada is not interested. 

Most Canadians, modest as they are known to be, frankly tend to see their country as superior to the U.S. They generally view themselves as kinder, more sincere, more peace loving and more well-liked internationally. Canada boasts a broader array of social programs that helps to moderate the gap between rich and poor.

The U.S. had nearly 1,000 billionaires as of 2026. Canada had 82.

Official attitudes here are different toward the less well off. To wit, while my street in Vancouver accommodates multimillion dollar homes, it also features social housing, on land that accommodates a chicken coop and small urban farm.

You only have to look at American statistics in the CIA World Factbook to compare and contrast life to the north and to the south. Most Canadians will know this stuff but Americans probably would be surprised to learn their life expectancy is only 77 years compared to Canada’s, 82.

Canada has a far-from-perfect health-care system but no one loses a home because of medical costs. The U.S. spends much more on health care but lacks universal health coverage. The New York-based Commonwealth Fund observed in 2021, “our health-care system is not working for Americans, particularly those with lower incomes, who are at a severe disadvantage compared to citizens of other countries.”

Not only do Canadians live longer but 2023 numbers show this country has lower maternal and child mortality rates.

Canada’s population is better educated with approximately 65 per cent of adults, aged 25 to 64, holding a post-secondary degree or diploma. In the U.S. 51 per cent, aged 25 to 34, attain that level of education. The World Population Review puts Canada in the top spot in educational attainment while the U.S. ranks 9th. 

The homicide rate per 100,000 people in the U.S. is 4.1 — more than double Canada’s rate of 1.9. 

Comparing all these numbers, it’s not difficult to conclude that Canada is just a more user-friendly country. Its residents seem to understand, they have a good thing going. Accordingly, they are vowing in the face of merciless manoeuvres by the U.S. president never, ever to surrender Canadian independence.

If Trump were even a tiny bit as smart as he imagines he is and could bring his ego under a modicum of control, he’d be trying to learn from Canada’s positive attributes, to make life better for his citizens rather than jacking up their consumer prices while trying to snatch this country’s sovereignty through a ruthless trade war.

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Barbara Yaffe is a former national columnist and longtime editor and reporter for newspapers across the Canada.

Opinion articles are based on the author’s interpretations and judgments of facts, data and events. More details