Dear America

I am sorry to announce that effective immediately I have halted art sales to the US due to your government's attack on our country. ICYMI Your president has levied an illegal on again off again 25% tariff to all goods from Canada to the US. He has used false narratives to justify it. Fentanyl coming from Canada, which is less than 1% of the US's illegal drugs, a mere 45 pounds in an year. And illegal immigrants; which while it does occasionally happen is minuscule compared to the border problems with Mexico. There was a loophole that BRIEFLY allowed some to fly from Mexico to Canada and cross the Canada/US border, but Canada quickly eliminated that loophole, and has taken other measures to secure our border (most of the illegal weapons and drugs come into Canada from the US).

He falsely claims the US has been subsidizing Canada. You have not. What he is twisting is that the US has a trade deficit with Canada (which is not the values he tosses around). A trade deficit occurs when a country imports more than they export. So what this means is the US imports more goods from Canada, than Canada imports from the US. However, if you take oil out of the equation, the trade deficit is reversed and Canada imports more than it exports to the USA. However, this is all just a smoke screen for the real reason your president has decided to attack Canada. 

Canada is a resource rich country. The US economy is not keeping up with the growth of China's, knocking it out of the lead of economic prosperity. Your president has openly stated on multiple occasions that he plans to make Canada (a sovereign Commonwealth nation) the 51st state. He claims Canadians want this. We DO NOT. He has indirectly threatened our military safety. He has said Russia could do whatever they want to Canada and the US would not interfere. He has abandoned agreements with most allied countries in favour of Russia. He has stated if we surrender to his idea of us becoming a US state we would have the US's military protection. I would urge Americans to read up on Canada's roll in all major wars and how we have been an ally to the US on many, many occasions. He has stated we would have lower taxes. We would not. We would also lose our world renowned social securities like healthcare, maternity leave, social security, pensions, workers rights, and most importantly our human rights and protection of minorities and vulnerable populations. There is no Canadian who would want to become an American citizen and lose our national identity as one of the freest and best places to live in the world. 

Let's make no mistake that the language your president is using has ended the relationship of friendship and peace between Canada and the US. He has violated the trade agreement that him drafted and boasted was the best agreement in the history of agreements. He has greatly insulted and maddened peace loving, kind Canadians. 

For that reason I will not allow my art to be sold in the US. I have many dear American friends and collectors who I am so grateful for. This is not a decision made lightly and will cause me hardship as over 50% of my art sales are to US collectors. However, I can not allow a single penny from the sale of my work go to your current government whose behaviour to date has been disgusting and alarming. 

I fear for you dear American friends. As the tensions between our two countries escalate, which they surely will; as you feel the economic impact of what your government is doing to you and us, I will be encouraging you to resist and fight your own government. I hope this spat will not escalate and be short lived. I am sorry things have ended up this way.