So I've been thinking about Minister Freeland's speech; that (paraphrasing) we can't depend upon the U.S. military to protect us. (Me: why not?) Therefore we must ante up big(ger) bucks to defend ourselves. (Me: why?)

Because a business-minded President thinks he's getting a raw deal? That Canada isn't "pulling its weight" militarily? He feels the same about trade, too.

I say shrug it off. Many Americans will caution Trump about injuring American self-interest in trade. The real NAFTA bargaining is between White House and the US negotiating team (backed by many, many pro-NAFTA lobbyists.)

And the Pentagon will have lots to say to Trump about "letting Canada defend itself." (That is, after joint chiefs finish telling Trump how they feel about Qatar's fate...) Canada could spend BILLIONS and in a crisis? No matter. US jets would still fly north; US tanks will cross our border--in our mutual interests, of course.

See? U.S. Self-Interest. Ain't we lucky. Put the wallet away...