I love the US, I've never lived there but I feel patriotism for it, it's where my heart is. My dream is to move there someday. I've defended it for so many years against ill-informed, downright malicious AmericaBad™ attacks.

But now, seeing all the anti-Americanism increase around the world, whether rightfully or wrongfully from actions of the current admin, including with people in my own life... even family members... it just hurts so deep, and upsets me so much. I don't know how I'm going to make it these next 4 years without burning out from this. And even beyond these 4 years, I feel like a lot of the damage will be here for many years to come.

american thinks canada is not a real country

I think the reaction to her is completely justified, and classically Canadian. But what do you think?

I'm an Alaskan. Our main trading partner and closest neighbor is Canada. I wonder if they would adopt us.

Regarding Trump's tariff increase, the White House's propaganda is that the president's courage is praised, while the US stock market uses the continued plunge as a slap in the face. Trump said that this is the pain of surgery, and the final victory belongs to the United States. I don't know how to define victory. Tariff revenue can be immediate, and the return of manufacturing will have some effect, but I don't think it is possible to eliminate the trade deficit. Trumpism cannot make the United States great again. On the contrary, I have a belief that Trumpism has opened the way for the United States to lose its world hegemony, and time is no longer on the side of the United States.

To explore this concept, the first thing to say is why there is American hegemony? Because in World War II, the United States saved Europe and the world and became a superpower. The triple halo of military, economic and moral has made the United States a world leader. The United Nations is a tool for big countries to manage small countries, maintain international peace and take into account relative justice.

Second, why did the United States become a trade deficit country? The United States was originally a surplus country. World War II strengthened the US manufacturing industry. After the war, the United States exported goods to the world, and the trade surplus lasted for more than 20 years. It was not until the 1970s that Nixon ended the Bretton Woods system. The dollar was no longer linked to gold. The dollar was issued more and began to depreciate. The United States became a country with a regular trade deficit. For other countries, a trade deficit will consume foreign exchange reserves, which is not a good thing, but the United States is different, because the dollar is printed by the United States. Using paper money to exchange goods with other countries, a trade deficit is actually a matter of taking advantage.

Third, why are countries around the world willing to be taken advantage of by the United States? On the one hand, the depreciation of the dollar is borne by the whole world, and the speed is very slow. It is still the most stable currency with the best liquidity. On the other hand, most countries recognize that the United States is the world's leader. The United States' allies earn dollars to buy U.S. bonds, and they are also sharing the cost of the United States maintaining the world order.

The United States prints dollars, continues to undertake trade deficits, and becomes a major customer in the world trade system. Whoever has a good relationship with the United States can get a share of the world industrial chain, get orders, and earn dollars. In this way, the United States and its partners win-win. This is the magic weapon of the United States' united front. If the United States issues dollars and has a trade surplus, winning twice, how can other countries survive? There will be cracks in the united front.

Fourth, why does Trumpism make America no longer great? America's leadership is based on history. Now Trump abuses his dominant position, bullies the weak, and betrays his promises. In addition to trying to please Russia, he threatens, humiliates, and backstabs other countries. This time, even Japan, the most obedient ally, which has invested heavily to cater to Trump, has had its tariffs increased by 24%, while Taiwan has been increased by 32% by sending TSMC. Trump is rapidly consuming America's credit and reputation. Credibility is something that accumulates slowly and goes bankrupt quickly. If a leader does not keep his word, turns his face and disowns others, and only calculates his own economic gains and losses, he will sooner or later lose support. Vietnam, Mexico, Japan, South Korea and other countries do not increase tariffs because they are small or rely on American military protection. There is no other way, but it is a stopgap measure. They all know that the United States is unreliable. Fifth, why should we be wary of Trumpism? Trump attributes the unsatisfactory lives of the lower-class people to the fact that the United States has been taken advantage of by other countries. Establishing external enemies and inciting public opinion was once Hitler's practice. What happened to Canada and Greenland is a wanton trampling of international law. The fact that the sycophants from all over the United States gathered in the White House and boasted about themselves is also an ominous sign. So what is more worrying is whether the United States will slide further to the right, become a Nazi country, and bully the whole world?

Sixth, can the world end American hegemony? I posted a post in February saying that the United States is accelerating its blackening. In DC movies, Superman turned black, but fortunately Batman secretly prepared for counterattacks. But in the real world, there is no emergency plan. In March, the European Union launched an 800 billion euro plan to rearm Europe, rebuild the military industry, and reject American arms. It was very correct. In the end, military strength determines autonomy and discourse power. But it takes time for Europe to rise, and there are still a lot of troubles inside, such as immigrants and refugees. There are more words, less actions, and low efficiency. Now China is taking the lead in countering the United States with tax increases, which is the courage and responsibility of a great power. Of course, it should be admitted that the trade war will hurt foreign trade, and the Chinese economy may face unprecedented pressure. The world's anti-US international united front is far from being formed, and the struggle is not overnight. But cracks have appeared in the American empire, and in addition to being hardworking, the Chinese have an advantage that the United States does not have, that is, the Chinese people's endurance. If this struggle brings difficulties and pain to the people of both sides, then China will definitely stand to the end. But I don't know whether it will be our generation or the next generation that can witness the moment when the world changes. International struggles are full of variables and repetitions.

What we should worry about now is the self-correction ability of the capitalist system. The more the mad king goes against the grain, the more forces can unite. If Americans abandon Trump in the midterm elections ,the United States will not fall so quickly.

I believe the United States will ultimately prevail, but my optimism comes with reservations. While European nations often employ assertive rhetoric, their actions frequently fail to align with their words. Unlike the U.S.—which maintains strong national cohesion across all 50 states—Europe’s historical legacy as a collection of individual nations continues to hinder unified action.

My greatest concern lies closer to home: the risk of electing leaders who might revert to outdated policies. In the past, the U.S. extended considerable goodwill in trade agreements but was often met with exploitation and unfair practices. I earnestly hope our policymakers will resist the temptation to return to such one-sided arrangements, prioritizing America’s interests in future negotiations.

If there’s one thing that rolls my eyes a lot, it’s pick me yanks. Now on one hand, it’s completely fine, and good for an American to criticize his or her own country. America has tons of problems, but if you criticize these problems, and point them out, sooner or later, these problems will be fixed and the country will improve. If not, and you just give out blind patriotism, then the nation will collapse. America was built on learning mistakes and taking baby steps achieve their freedoms. Just look at the history. I (Canadian) am critical of my own country because like sooo many countries, Canada has its problems, but I do it out of a place of love, and not out of a place of hate. I am a proud Canadian, and for America, that’s like 95% of you guys as well. Criticizing out of love and not hatred. I love my country for what it has become and what’s it’s going to become.

Yet on the other hand, there’s like a faction of yanks who just HATE THEMSELVES. They criticize their country, becuase they genuinely hate it, and they want to feel included and loved by Europeans. Which is a very odd thing. Like this sort of attitude screams insecurity, and low self esteem. The comments that these self hating Americans make are so outrageous and cringe, like I saw one comment that went along the lines of: “Please hate us we deserve it” or some shit like that.

Like why do you hate your country so much?

Not sure this is actually America bad but…

Do I need to even say anymore? 🤦

This was in response to a Swedish guy whose home was colorfully decorated.