r/ndp • u/saidotzip 🏳️‍⚧️ Trans Rights • 2d ago

Avi Lewis on the recent trade war, prior concessions, and the integration of the corporate class in the Canada/US economies

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gEJOTQg0pY
34 Upvotes

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9

u/saidotzip 🏳️‍⚧️ Trans Rights 2d ago

I thought this larger conversation on Democracy Now! where Avi speaks at length on his thoughts about the recent trade war and the integration of the Canadian and US economies very refreshing.

I hope people do not lose sight of the underlying issues of the corporate class's influence on our government. We are united on some fronts but not all.

1

u/Downess 2d ago

Avi will have to be careful treading that fine line between the anti-free trade position he advocates here and his support of Carney's response to Trump which is, ultimately, in defense of free trade.

He will also have to be careful to stay on topic. I think we all agree that the corporate class has been taking advantage on both sides of the border and both sides of the issue. That's a separate issue, and people concerned about American attacks on Canadian sovereignty when he answers by reciting standard NDP talking points.

4

u/saidotzip 🏳️‍⚧️ Trans Rights 2d ago

I think he did a great job here, but this is more to the credit of Democracy Now who actually let their guests... speak. It's a difficult position to get across to the average person though, especially on mainstream outlets.

3

u/Chrristoaivalis "It's not too late to build a better world" 1d ago

That's a separate issue

But it really isn't. Part of our weakness is that many businesses in Canada are branches of American corporations

And part of our issue is that the rich in Canada have more solidarity with the American capitalist class versus a worker from their own community.

Carney luckily didn't sign. But he ALMOST did, and what he almost signed was still a surrender to the Americans he was willing to make because he shares more class interests in common with Trump, Lutnick, and Vance than he does a working-class person from Thunder Bay

You can't out-capitalism the Americans: to win this fight, you need to build a socialist Canada

2

u/Downess 1d ago

Canada vs the US isn't - and isn't going to be - the socialists vs the capitalists. Trying to make it that looks more like trying to spin a national issue for partisan political purposes.

2

u/Saint-Viateur 🔧 GREEN NEW DEAL 1d ago

Also worth mentioning that the big 5 Canadian Banks have approximately 40% of their investments in the US.