Commentator Hamish McRae has called for greater support for Canada as he contends that U.S. President Donald Trump is attempting to inflict economic damage on the country. McRae suggested that personal and wider reflections are needed to identify true allies, placing Canada, Australia, and New Zealand at the top of this list for Britain.
Anglosphere relationships
McRae's commentary, published on a late summer bank holiday, frames the current U.S. political climate as a period of turmoil that serves as a reminder of the complexities in U.S. politics. While acknowledging the close cultural and historical ties between the U.S. and the UK, he suggests that Canada is currently facing direct economic pressure. He stated that the U.S. President's actions, which he characterized as "petulance," are aimed at harming the Canadian economy, and urged the UK to stand with Canada.
Economic ties and potential support
The existing trade agreement between the UK and Canada, which McRae described as an update to their previous EU-era arrangement, is noted. He mentioned that talks for a more substantial deal broke down in 2024, but a working group is currently focused on reducing regulatory barriers in the absence of a formal agreement. The UK is Canada's third-largest trading partner, and McRae suggested there are opportunities for increased imports, particularly in oil and gas, and in nuclear power where Canada possesses expertise.
Beyond formal trade, McRae advocated for individual action, encouraging consumers to "look for the Canadian label" and anticipate a rise in Canadian products in supermarkets. He emphasized the importance of strengthening relationships within the broader Anglosphere, comprising Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK (CANZUK). Together, these nations represent a significant economic bloc, with a combined GDP that rivals that of the EU, and McRae posited that this bloc will remain a dominant force in the global economy throughout the century.
McRae also suggested policy considerations, proposing that Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand students should receive preferential access to UK universities, drawing parallels with the UK's cultural ties to these nations. He noted that these countries, along with the U.S., are primary destinations for British migration, citing the example of former Bank of England Governor Mark Carney's move from Canada.
McRae concluded by emphasizing the value of strong friendships in an increasingly challenging global landscape, likening loyal companions to those who should be "grapple[d] unto thy soul with hoops of steel."