One has to admire the recent move by Canadian PM Justin Trudeau when he traveled to meet with President-Elect Trump to discuss the pending tariffs that have been proposed. 

Let’s be clear here: Tariffs don’t work. Even more detrimental is that they ultimately cost consumers more. They can seriously damage a domestic economy and further hasten a deterioration within the global economy as trade wars surface. 

However, both Trump and Trudeau understand the much deeper relationship between the two nations, one that transcends economics with vital national security issues and shared global interests, as both are each other's largest trading partners. It was particularly pleasant to see that our incoming senator was in attendance as most Pennsylvanians forget that in fact, we are a border state with an economic interest with the Dominion of Canada. 

Trudeau's message was clear; don’t compare us to the issues facing the US on its southern border with Mexico. According to sources present, the Prime Minister gave a clear delineation of why tariffs should be taken off the table. 

Over 21,000 pounds of fentanyl was seized at the southern border last year, and just 43 pounds were stopped at the northern border. Canada has promised to enhance its border with more drones, patrols, and other countermeasures that will further protect this nation, then again the flow of illegal immigrants from the north is a trickle compared to the flood on our southern border. 

Perhaps what should most comfort our incoming President is that Canada is proposing to take back any person caught illegally crossing the border which is something we know that Mexico has refused along with any semblance of constructive diplomacy to deal with the epidemic to the south. 

Yes, Congress failed at the whim of Trump to pass the first meaningful legislation in over four decades so it could be used purposely as a campaign mechanism which ultimately worked very well for him, but now his administration must be focused on passing legislation that will give those wishing to immigrate a legal path to become a citizen of this nation. 

As for Mexico which is increasingly within the sphere of China whose new President continues to laugh at this nation, I think she better take a hard look at what the electorate has just done to the north. Mexico needs to remember that so long as drug cartels, human traffickers, and corrupt law enforcement act without impingement along our southern border a pseudo-state of war exists, which our incoming President and his national security apparatus won’t stand by for long without taking decisive action. 

Canada is our quintessential ally which has been a most trusted friend of this nation from its inception, its values mirror ours, and will forever be ready to work constructively on all issues that face our collective interests; Mexico is not. 

I hope that President-Elect Trump will recognize this very special relationship and avoid imposing detrimental tariffs that will affect both nations, as for Mexico they should be treated like an enemy of the state and face the consequences of such.