To the Editor:

During his first term, Trump spent a lot of time bragging about USMCA, the trade pact he negotiated with Canada and Mexico to replace NAFTA. Now he is breaking it with new tariffs and threats, complaining that we are being ripped off. He also claims that the only reason the European Union was created was so they could rip us off. Rather ironic coming from a con man who made a career out of stiffing people and then declaring bankruptcy. His new gig includes promoting Tesla’s from the White House lawn and hawking his own get rich schemes like digital coins and bibles. Ethics and any sense of decorum have been thrown out the window.

Canada and the US share a 5,525-mile border and close economic and social relationships. Prior to 9/11, you didn’t even need a passport to cross over. At no time during the campaign did our wanna be king talk about making Canada the 51st state. This demeaning and condescending attitude that he has taken with our northern neighbor is embarrassing but not surprising coming from this petty bully. How come he never talks about making Mexico the 52nd state?

He insists that tariffs will fix all our problems, despite what noted economists say. Ultimately, they increase prices for the consumer. The US was once the biggest exporter of soybeans. After Trump’s tariff war during his first term, Brazil now holds that title. When he first started his run for president, Trump threatened all the schools he attended with lawsuits if any of his transcripts were released. Maybe he’s not the economic genius he claims to be.

As president, Trump has never tried to unite the country, in fact he seems to thrive on pitting us against each other. Now he is turning our allies against us. He is not making us great again – he is turning us into a pariah. China and Russia can’t believe their good luck. Resorts that count on foreign visitors better hope we get enough Russian oligarchs to make up for the number of Canadians and Europeans who won’t be coming to America for summer vacation.

Go Blue Jays!

Kathy Quinn

Newtown