Tariffs, Fentanyl, and Politics: Oh, Canada!

Originally published at: https://peakprosperity.com/daily-digest/tariffs-fentanyl-and-politics-oh-canada/

Health

In the Czech Republic, official data reveals a decline in birth rates among vaccinated women, with vaccinated women aged 18–39 reportedly being 66% less likely to give birth compared to their unvaccinated counterparts. Despite this disparity, the Czech government attributes the decline to normal trends and has largely ignored the issue. The lack of attention to these findings highlights a broader reluctance to question vaccine policies, with calls for leaders to address these concerns and reevaluate health policies to prevent potential long-term impacts on birth rates. Public health experts suggest that while correlation does not imply causation, the significant difference in birth rates warrants further investigation to understand if there’s a direct link.

Energy

The International Energy Agency (IEA) is facing criticism from its former oil market chief, Neil Atkinson, who reportedly argues that the agency’s focus on the global energy transition is misguided. This perspective aligns with the Trump administration’s emphasis on increased oil and gas production over renewable energy. The report “Energy Delusions,” co-authored by Atkinson, challenges the IEA’s projections on oil demand and investment needs, suggesting that the agency may underestimate growth in emerging economies and the petrochemical sector. The IEA has dismissed these claims, asserting that its projections are consistent with those of other major organizations. In response to the criticism, the IEA emphasized that its analysis is based on extensive data and peer-reviewed methodologies, aiming to provide balanced energy policy advice that includes both fossil fuels and renewable energy.

Politics

A controversy has emerged within the U.S. Treasury Department following the resignation of top official David Lebryk amid an audit reportedly led by Elon Musk. The audit, which examines the Treasury’s payment systems, has uncovered allegations that payment officers were instructed to approve all transactions, including those to fraudulent or terrorist organizations. This has purportedly led to significant tension, with Musk’s team reportedly clashing with Treasury staff and locking them out of computer systems. The situation unfolds as Scott Bessent assumes the role of Treasury secretary under President Trump, with potential implications for how the Treasury handles payments. While some sources frame the situation as uncovering corruption, others suggest that Lebryk’s departure might involve broader administrative disagreements, highlighting the complexity of the issue.

The Trump administration’s impending tariffs on Canada have set the stage for a potential trade conflict, prompting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government to prepare a response. Critics argue that Trudeau is leveraging the dispute to deflect attention from domestic challenges, framing it as a Canada-versus-U.S. struggle to rally national support. Meanwhile, concerns over illegal immigration and the RCMP’s purchase of Chinese drones add to the complexity of Canada’s political landscape. With the country already facing a recession, the combination of tariffs and increased government spending threatens to deepen economic difficulties, leading some to call for an election to address these growing concerns.

Further complicating matters are reports of Trump’s alleged threats toward Canada, including the possibility of annexation. His administration has raised alarms over Canada’s border security, illegal migration, and fentanyl trafficking, tying these concerns to broader national security interests. China’s influence in Canada has only heightened U.S. apprehensions, with some invoking the Monroe Doctrine to justify countering foreign interference in the Americas. Trump’s annexation rhetoric, positioned as a way to safeguard U.S. energy interests and ideological stability, suggests that Canada could join the U.S. as an equal partner. However, Canadian officials and public figures have largely dismissed such talk as political posturing, while acknowledging the real challenges of security and economic interdependence.

Finally, the “Vancouver model,” a sophisticated money laundering scheme, is reportedly at the center of a complex web involving fentanyl trafficking and the influence of Chinese and Mexican drug cartels. Investigative journalist Sam Cooper has uncovered how Chinese organized crime launders money globally, impacting Canadian governance and real estate markets. The model’s implications extend to broader geopolitical concerns, with President Trump and the DEA aware of foreign financial networks undermining Canadian democracy. The drug trade, particularly fentanyl, plays a significant role, with precursors from China processed and distributed across North America, contributing to widespread fentanyl-related deaths. Cooper’s work highlights the ongoing financial and geopolitical battles shaping the world. While the Canadian government acknowledges the severity of the fentanyl crisis, the effectiveness of their efforts to address these issues remains under scrutiny.

Environment

In Maine, the farming community is dealing with contamination from PFAS, chemicals known as “forever chemicals,” which have rendered farmland unusable. Fred Stone’s farm, among others, has been affected, with milk production halted due to contamination. The use of sewage sludge as fertilizer has spread these chemicals, leading to a crisis among farmers. Despite the known dangers of PFAS, regulatory agencies have been slow to address the issue, leaving farmers calling for accountability and action to prevent further environmental and health impacts. Efforts are now reportedly underway to regulate PFAS more stringently, with new guidelines expected soon, as farmers and environmental groups advocate for legislative changes to support affected communities.

Sources

IEA Criticized by Former Oil Chief for Energy Transition Focus Amid Trump Administration Pressure

“The promotional aspirations and flawed assumptions underlying IEA’s peak-demand scenarios have serious implications, given the obvious global economic and security considerations in planning for and delivering reliable, affordable energy supplies,” the report said.

Source | Submitted by roosterrancher

Elon Musk’s Audit Uncovers Treasury Payment Scandal Amid Top Official’s Resignation

The @DOGE team discovered, among other things, that payment approval officers at Treasury were instructed always to approve payments, even to known fraudulent or terrorist groups.

Source

Maine’s “Liquid Gold” Turns Toxic: The PFAS Plague on Century-Old Farms

PFAS, often referred to as ‘forever chemicals,’ are nearly impossible to remove from the environment.

Source | Submitted by Barbara

Canada’s Tariff Tango: Trudeau’s Gamble with Trump and the Looming Economic Fallout

Trudeau wants the trade war. He wants to fight with Donald Trump over tariffs.

Source

Trump’s Northern Gambit: Annexation or Alliance with Canada?

Canada is now so far in violation of the unwritten rules of the ‘good neighbor policy’ that it’s not even funny.

Source | Submitted by richcabot

Czech Republic’s Birth Rate Plummets: Vaccinated Women 66% Less Likely to Give Birth, Official Data Reveals

In 2023, about 114 children were born per thousand unvaccinated women aged 18–39. Only about 42 children were born to vaccinated women per thousand vaccinated women aged 18–39

Source | Submitted by richcabot

The Vancouver Model: Unraveling the Global Web of Money Laundering and Fentanyl Trafficking

This is a shocking story about fentanyl distribution, billions of dollars in money laundering, the connection between Chinese and Mexican drug cartels, and ultimately how the Chinese Communist Party has bribed and influenced their way to the top of Canada’s government.

Source | Submitted by GramstoAtti

In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: Greenpeace, The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, IEA’s official X account, The Hill, The Guardian, The Gateway Pundit, The Washington Post, Maine Public, Maine Farmland Trust, 3M, The Intercept, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, The New York Times, The Maine Monitor, Greenpeace USA, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, The Post Millennial, The Toronto Star, David Kadon, The Globe and Mail, CBC News, The Hamilton Spectator, The Economist, Global News, Buck McYoung, Taleeb Noormohamed, Fox News, Czech Government on X, Smis Lab, CDC, Dr. John Campbell, Children’s Health Defense, Senator Ron Johnson, The Bureau.News, BC Premier David Eby, South China Morning Post, Canadian Real Estate Analyst, Former DEA Agent.

1 Like

There’s a lot of buzz on social media from Canadians about the tariffs, including suggestions of Canadian-made products to switch to.

Is this just political theatre? If not and it moves forward it will backfire on the narcissists in power on both sides of the border.

I’ve been told that US lumber producers were charging $3 a board-foot vs. Canadian lumber at $2.75, so tariffs even things out. But if you’re a lumber producer in Oregon and your competitors who sell Canadian lumber increase their prices by 25%, what are you going to do with your prices? Remember, you may only have to come in with a bid that’s 2-3% lower than your competition to win the contract.

Also, 1/3 of lumber used in US home construction comes ftom Canada. Replacing this Canadian lumber with US product may not be possible in the short term.

If US millenials couldn’t afford a house last year, there is no way they’ll be buying this year. The homebuilding industry may be crushed.

In Canada, we produce far more lumber than we use domestically. Some Canadians will be laid off and may lose everything.

If you think this isn’t incompetence, put on your best tinfoil hat and think about what’s really in play here… because if it’s being done on purpose it’s pretty sinister.