Bridging Tensions

Saturday, July 25, 2026 | Newsletter 85

A week after headlines were choked with acrid wildfire smoke, the news shifted to hostile tariffs from President Trump. Obsessed with an old-fashioned revenue strategy, he is scrambling to raise money to pay for tax cuts that benefit the wealthy. He tells his poorly educated cult voters that tariff revenues are “pouring into” the U.S., but the truth is the added costs fall on Americans, who must absorb higher prices for groceries, gasoline and other essentials, while global resentment grows. The World Cup finale saw Team Spain lift the trophy while Donald Trump tried to steal the limelight. Also present were Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canada’s Mark Carney, whom Trump treated as bit players in a tournament otherwise praised for its success. He complained to Carney about wildfire smoke and suggested Canada should pay damages. Early in the week, Canada’s provincial premiers met just as the President unveiled plans to impose 50% tariffs on certain products. Notably excluded from the list were key resources such as oil and potash, prompting talk of adding export taxes on those commodities if the administration continues to play hardball. The opening of a new bridge, intended to symbolize unity, instead highlighted the strained relationship between Canada and the USA, a situation likely to persist. Let’s dive into the week’s events through cartoons.

Tuesday July 21, 2026 | PPs Dog Days

My thoughts go back to a recent trip to Lake Huron, where I came across a dead, rotting carp with flies swarming around, similar to the current political scene. Mark Carney’s move to the centre has reshaped the landscape, drawing in moderates and sidelining the Conservatives. Pierre Poilievre’s confrontational approach seems less effective now, with party infighting and rhetoric, like flies from the rotting carp, affecting him. A retired Hamilton lawyer, claiming no party affiliation, carved out time to reach out to me with a lengthy email regarding this cartoon: “How stupid! How infantile! How childish! How ridiculous! A cartoon that only left-wing idiots would applaud!” Love it! But as a bit of advice to him and fellow party members, Conservatives need to focus on clear policies and unity …and come to terms with the fact, backed up by polls, that nobody likes Pierre Poilievre.

Wednesday July 22, 2026 | Tick-Tock Goes the Clock

Time is of the essence in the U.S.-Canada drama. Trump seeks headlines, but Canada opts to “rag the puck,” responding calmly to new tariffs. By diversifying trade with Europe, Asia, and Latin America, and unifying efforts across provinces, Canada reduces its U.S. dependency. As costs rise, this strategy shows resilience. The upcoming midterms might shift policies, and Canadians hope for change while continuing to diversify and boycott U.S. goods.

Thursday July 23, 2026 | Tariff Tensions Rise

Tariff tensions are the dominant national story this week. The mixed signals from the Premiers’ Conference are clear. Canada’s biggest retaliation against Trump tariffs, removing U.S. booze from shelves, is effective and hitting a nerve in the U.S. Most provinces are united, but Alberta and Saskatchewan stand apart. Imagine the impact if we used oil or potash as leverage. Premiers like Doug Ford and David Eby, whose sectors suffer from tariffs, support stronger actions, while Danielle Smith and Scott Moe resist. Smith’s position is concerning as Alberta edges toward a separatism referendum. Her suck-up alignment with Trump isn’t just ideological; it’s about embracing the “drill-baby-drill” mentality, highlighting the lack of unity at the PEI meeting. What became clearer this week is that while a keep‑calm‑and‑carry‑on attitude has merits, Canadians are increasingly hungry for a bold, dramatic change of course. At the same time, personal boycotts continue: many Canadians are choosing to avoid travel to the U.S. and to keep their hard‑earned loonies at home until policies change.

Friday July 24, 2026 | “Canadian Smoke”, they liked to call it? What’s to be said of “American Ticks?”

Inspired by reader comments, it’s clear that recent rhetoric blaming Canada for wildfire smoke is ironic, especially as Canada experiences its worst tick season, with pests migrating from the U.S. While President Trump’s remarks overlook human-driven climate shifts, the situation requires collaboration, not blame. True leadership demands joint efforts in climate mitigation and public health, transcending borders. Labeling issues as “Canadian Smoke” or “American Ticks” achieves nothing. Canada and the U.S. must work together, as climate change knows no borders, and neither should our solutions.

Saturday July 25, 2026 | The Gordie Howe Knot: A Tangled Affair

The Gordie Howe International Bridge opens next Monday, meant to symbolize Canada-U.S. friendship, yet tensions loom large. A Canada-only ceremony highlights the strain caused by President Trump’s tariff threats on Canadian products, touching on issues like dairy and auto quotas. With CUSMA’s future uncertain under a protectionist U.S. administration, Canada faces economic hurdles. Despite Mark Carney facing criticism for a lack of transparency on agreements, the bridge’s opening is a pivotal victory, easing a major trade bottleneck crucial to both economies.

As the week wraps up, tensions between Canada and the U.S. remain high, highlighted by the solo opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge. Despite tariff disputes and political noise, Canada focuses on staying strong and working together. By exploring new trade opportunities and using its resources wisely, Canada aims to depend less on the U.S. and encourage provincial unity.

The Graeme Gallery offers a weekly review of news through my editorial cartoons, delivered free via email every Saturday. I’ve been the editorial cartoonist at the Hamilton Spectator since 1997, with work also appearing in the Toronto Star. While I remain committed to print, platforms like Substack allow me to share my work online if needed. I invest deeply in these posts, driven by a long-standing passion for current events. Thank you for subscribing, and for your support—please share with others and consider subscribing, in case you haven’t.

© 2026 Graeme MacKay. All rights reserved. Reproduction requires permission. MacKaycartoons.net