Carney's Checkmate: How Canada's Quiet Bond Play Forced Trump to Drop Tariffs [View all]
Rewind a bit. While Trump was gearing up his trade war machine, Carney, Canadas Prime Minister, wasnt just sitting in Ottawa twiddling his thumbs. Hed been quietly increasing Canadas holdings of U.S. Treasury bondsover $350 billion worth by early 2025, part of the $8.53 trillion foreign countries hold in U.S. debt. On the surface, it looked like a safe play, a hedge against economic chaos. But it wasnt just defense. It was a loaded gun.
Carney didnt stop there. He took his case to Europe. Not for photo ops, but for closed-door meetings with the EUs heavy hittersGermany, France, the Netherlands. Japan was in the room too, listening closely. The pitch was simple: if Trump went too far with tariffs, Canada wouldnt just retaliate with duties on American cars or steel. It would start offloading those Treasury bonds. Not a fire salenothing so crude. A slow, steady bleed. A signal to the markets that the U.S. dollars perch wasnt so secure.
And heres the kicker: Canada wasnt alone. Japan, holding over $1 trillion in U.S. debt, signed on and started to sell those US Treasury bonds which scared Trump shitless. Key EU countriescollectively sitting on another $1.5 trillionnodded in agreement. This wasnt a bluff. It was a silent pact. A coordinated move to remind Trump that the free world doesnt just roll over when he swings his tariff bat. Hurt us, Carney said, and well hurt youright where it counts.
Carney also issued Canadian Treasury bonds in USD which was another brilliant way to strengthen Canadas position and financial reputation. Little triggers and strategies you get when the worlds most respected economist is your PM
https://deanblundell.substack.com/p/carneys-checkmate-how-canadas-quiet