Today, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to put a 25% tariff on all imports from Canada, except for Canadian energy which will have a rate of 10% instead. He also put a 25% tariff on all imports from Mexico. And he put a 10% tariff on all imports from China (ref. 1). Not sure why China's is only 10%, whereas Canada and Mexico get 25%. I thought China is America's strategic competitor, and Canada is America's ally.
Anyway, almost immediately, Canada responded in kind, putting a 25% tariff on 155 billion dollars worth of US goods (ref. 2).
No doubt, Mexico and China will also retaliate, which is how these things tend to go.
Bizarrely, the White House declared that America would escalate and increase the tariffs further, should any of these three countries retaliate to Trump's executive order (ref. 1).
The Canadian government and some commentators are scratching their heads and talking about the issue of fentanyl, as if that was the thing that prompted this trade war.
The fact of the matter is that, weeks ago, Trump declared that he wanted Canada to become the 51st state of the USA, and he warned that unless this were to happen, there would be tariffs (ref. 3).
So now, the trade war is on.
This trade war will mean higher prices in the countries affected, but especially in the USA. The hike in the price of oil will make things worse because truck drivers that transport goods from a warehouse to a retailer must pay higher fuel costs. For sure, these increases will be passed on to consumers. Then, price rises left unchecked will inevitably lead to hyperinflation.
For some time now, America has been seeking to hyperinflate and destroy the US dollar. This explains why the US government has also been acquiring debt through the bond market with no apparent intention of paying any of it back - basically printing money out of thin air. In economics, the textbook solution to hyperinflation is the introduction of a new currency. Because America is Mystery Babylon, and because this is the time of the end, the new currency, when it comes, will be the prophesied mark of the beast.
And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Revelation 13:16-17
But of course, before there can be a mark of the beast, there must be a beast. This is the Assyrian, whose name sums in gematria to 666 (ref. Revelation 13:18), also known as the Antichrist, and the horseman of the fourth seal. As of now, only the first seal has been opened.
Now, this emerging rift between the USA and Canada is possibly prophetic. You see, Canada is probably one of "the young lions of Tarshish" in Ezekiel 38:13, a nation that peacefully spawned from an empire of England (Tarshish).
Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?
Ezekiel 38:13
If Canada is to be a nation over 1000 years from now, it stands to reason that in these last days Canada must break away from the USA geopolitically and survive WW3.
As I read Isaiah 14, on the day and hour of her fiery end, Babylon is to be without allies: "he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth".
That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased! The LORD hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers. He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth. The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing.
Isaiah 14:4-7
Something else I should say is that after the day of the LORD, once Jesus Christ returns to the earth together with his angels and the 144000 saints, every nation that agrees to align with the kingdom of God and become properly Christian will be a part of a new "commonwealth of Israel" (ref. Ephesians 2:12).
Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Ephesians 2:11-14
These nations will be blessed by God, and will prosper.
And I will make of thee a great nation [the kingdom of God], and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
Genesis 12:2-3
These nations will also come under the protection of the kingdom of God. Every nation that agrees to become properly Christian will be protected by God, Jesus Christ, and the 144000 saints.
Indeed, this is how certain saints will be assigned to various nations during the Millennial Reign. Think the parable of the talents!
His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Matthew 24:21
And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
Luke 19:17
As a celestial being, wielding the power of fire, I imagine, a saint can handle Satanists, demons, and also the army of a hostile neighbouring nation, should there be any.
And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Revelation 2:26-29
Remember, in the day of Sennacherib, one angel of the LORD managed to kill "an hundred fourscore and five thousand" human soldiers in one night (ref. 2 Kings 19:35). That was an angel.
A saint would be like an angel but stronger.
For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.
Hebrews 2:5
Stronger, because a saint on his own must also be able to judge demons, ie. angels in rebellion against God.
Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? …
1 Corinthians 6:2-3
Even strong nations, with large armies and powerful weaponry including WMDs, will be rebuked by Jesus Christ if they decide to challenge this new geopolitical reality.
And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
Micah 4:3
Should a saint go rogue, heaven has a solution for that too.
Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth [God speaking to the saints]. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son [the metaphor of marital fidelity, ie. loyalty], lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
Psalms 2:6-12
The outcome of all this is that at some point during the Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ, the entire world will be at peace, something never before achieved. This is why Jesus Christ is also called "The Prince of Peace". His government and peace shall increase such that he will be the Lord of the whole earth!
For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Isaiah 9:5-7
Update 4 February 2025
After seeing the US sharemarket crash, after the WSJ labeled this "the dumbest trade war in history", after one poll indicated that 51% of Americans are against these tariffs, Trump has now backed down. Today, Trump paused the proposed tariffs against Mexico and Canada for 30 days.
If talk of a trade war can be likened to a game of chicken, then Trump has just wussed out.
To those who say that there was a last minute negotiation in regard to the border, let me remind that, three days ago, Trump said that there was nothing that Canada and Mexico could do to "forestall" the tariffs, and there was "no concession" that America was looking for.
Maybe it's like schizophrenia. One day he has a particular state of mind. The next day he is someone else.
References
1. ABC (2 February 2025), "Donald Trump signs executive order to impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China", abc.net.au
2. "Trudeau: Canada will retaliate with 25% tariffs on $155B of U.S. goods", youtube.com/watch?v=xiaACQpFUfE
3. Stephanie Weaver (23 January 2025), "Trump says Canada can become a US state to avoid tariffs", livenowfox.com