You don’t know me, but I know your type. I’ve worked with leaders like you throughout my career—people who are sharp, competitive, and don’t back away from a tough negotiation. They expect results and they value strength. I’ve seen firsthand how effective that approach can be. I respect it.
But I also know that when two long-time partners meet, there’s a way to negotiate a better deal without threatening the relationship.
That’s why I’m writing this today. It’s time for a smarter, more constructive approach between Canada and the United States. Not because anyone’s feelings are hurt, but because it’s the practical thing to do.
Recently, your Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, made headlines by comparing Canada to Ukraine. His point? Canada has spent decades getting away with taking advantage of the U.S., and now it’s time for us to show gratitude—or else. He said, “The biggest trading partner in the whole world that is vital to Canada’s existence says, ‘I’m unhappy,’ and they respond negatively. You know why? Because for 20 years, 30 years, they’ve gotten away with it. It’s like Ukraine… Just say thank you.”
I’ll be blunt: this isn’t helpful or accurate.
Canada isn’t Ukraine. We haven’t received hundreds of billions of dollars in aid. We’re not a dependent state. We’re your ally. We’re your largest customer. And we’re your most reliable neighbour. That’s not emotion. That’s fact.
Let’s look at this for what it is—a business relationship. And a strong one.
The United States and Canada do about $900 billion in trade annually. We buy more American goods than any other country on the planet. More than China. More than Mexico. More than the entire European Union. We’re your number one export market. You sell us your cars, your agricultural products, your oil and gas, your machinery. We buy more of it than anyone else.
It’s not charity. It’s business. We’ve both benefited from this relationship for decades because it works.
Now, could there be improvements? Sure. There always are in business. If you want to talk about securing the border better, fine. If you want to push on domestic manufacturing, fine. We’ve heard your concerns, and frankly, they’re not unreasonable. But the idea that Canada has spent 30 years freeloading? That doesn’t hold up.
Here’s what’s getting lost in all this tough talk.When America needed help on 9/11, Canadians stepped up. We took in your citizens when you closed your airspace. We didn’t hesitate, and we didn’t ask for a dime.
Canadian soldiers fought shoulder to shoulder with Americans in Afghanistan. They fought and died, Mr. President. No one forced us to do it. We did it because it was the right thing to do and because we honour our alliances.
We send our power crews south when hurricanes wipe out infrastructure in Florida and along the East Coast. We send our firefighters to California when the wildfires rage out of control. No strings attached. That’s what neighbours do.
Canada has been there for the United States time and time again. And we’ve never made it transactional.
So when Secretary Lutnick says we need to show gratitude, I suggest that both countries have plenty to be grateful for. This partnership has been built on respect and shared benefit.
I understand your negotiating style. You come in heavy, make people sweat, push them to concede. It’s how you’ve done business your whole life, and it’s served you well. I’m not suggesting you change your approach, but I am suggesting there’s a smarter move here.
Take lumber, for example. You’ve said America doesn’t need Canadian lumber. But the numbers tell a different story.
The U.S. imports 25% to 30% of its lumber annually, and roughly 90% of that comes from Canada. Your builders rely on Canadian softwood—spruce, pine, and fir—because it’s consistent, high-quality, and cost-effective.
The National Association of Home Builders has made it clear that tariffs on Canadian lumber add thousands of dollars to the price of an average home in the U.S. That’s not hitting Canada. That’s hitting American families trying to buy a house.
We both know how this works. Tariffs and retaliatory tariffs just create friction. They’re noise. They clog up trade and hurt people on both sides of the border. Canada’s government is leaning into this because it thinks it will play well at election time. And that’s their mistake.
But there’s a better way.
You have the power to cool things down, pause the tariff fight, and wait for Canada’s next election. Let the dust settle. Then, with a new mandate and a clean slate, we could work out a deal that makes sense for both of us.
You know as well as anyone: you don’t need to crush your opponent to win. Sometimes the smarter play is to make a deal that brings long-term stability. One that leaves both sides walking away thinking they got a fair shake.
I’m not here to preach, I have not achieved the financial success you have, not even close. I’m not here to defend Ottawa or lecture Washington. I’m looking at this like a business deal between two parties who have far more to gain by working together than by trading jabs.
We’re neighbours. We’re each other’s number one partner. And when the dust settles, we both need each other.
Mr. President, you know strength, but you also know value. I believe there’s real value in making this relationship work for both countries without the theatrics.
Respectfully,
Kevin Klein