As Canadians wake up to the economic uncertainties stirred by protectionist policies from our neighbor and largest trading partner, the United States—particularly under the renewed threats of tariffs by US President Donald Trump—a deeper national introspection is warranted. It is in moments like these, when the ground beneath us seems to shift, that sacred texts offer more than spiritual comfort; they present frameworks for national reflection and transformation. Jesus offers a vivid image of growth through surrender: “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (John 12:24). This imagery is striking, not only in its spiritual implications but also in its relevance to the soul of a nation confronting change, pressure, and adversity.
1. A Nation’s Heart Must Change
Jeremiah 31:31-34 envisions a future where the law is no longer external, imposed through force or fear, but internal—written on the human heart. For Canada, this moment of economic confrontation is an opportunity to examine what is written on our national heart.
Trump-era tariffs, particularly on aluminum, steel, and other key Canadian exports, threaten not just economic growth but national confidence. The imposition of such trade barriers reveals the fragile underbelly of our dependence on a singular trade relationship. For decades, we trusted in the North American Free Trade Agreement and its successor, the USMCA. Now, with Trump’s return to prominence, old threats loom anew.
But what if this economic suffering is also a call to transformation? Could this be an invitation to redefine our economic identity—not as one leaning heavily on a singular partner, but as a nation of resilient, diversified innovation?
This is a Jeremiah moment for us: our strength will no longer be measured merely in GDP or exports, but in how deeply we inscribe justice, sustainability, and equity into our systems—values that must be written not on our ledgers alone but in our shared social covenant.
2. Leadership as Humility, Not Domination
Hebrews 5:5-10 portrays leadership not as a path of dominance but of suffering, learning, and humility. “He learned obedience through what he suffered,” the text says of Christ.
Canada, a middle power on the global stage, is uniquely positioned to lead not through coercion or posturing but through moral clarity and collaborative diplomacy. As Trump’s America signals a return to aggressive economic nationalism, Canada must resist the temptation to retaliate in kind.
Instead, we can draw from a different tradition—one rooted in humility, dialogue, and suffering alongside those most affected. Our leadership must be characterized by compassion: supporting workers who lose jobs, empowering small businesses to innovate, and opening new trade relationships grounded in equity and mutual benefit.
Real leadership means walking with those who suffer under the burden of economic change—not to rescue from above, but to build together from below.
3. The Seed Must Die for the Nation to Live
Jesus’ words in John 12:24 challenge us: “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone.” Transformation—whether in a person or a polity—requires the death of something old so that new life can emerge.
For Canada, what must die?
Perhaps it is the illusion that our economic well-being can remain untouched by the shifting winds of geopolitics. Perhaps it is the assumption that our neighbor to the south will always act in good faith. Perhaps it is our overreliance on resource extraction, or the underinvestment in our own internal markets and regional trade.
These deaths are painful. Jobs are at risk. Communities suffer. National pride may be wounded. But this death is not the end. It is the soil into which seeds of a more equitable, resilient, and innovative Canada can be planted.
Let us invest more boldly in sustainable industries.
Let us forge deeper partnerships with Asia, Europe, Africa, and Latin America.
Let us empower Indigenous communities as leaders in economic development and environmental stewardship.
Let us be a nation that gives itself away—not in surrender, but in shared prosperity with the world.
Practical advice for my fellow Canadians
1. Diversify Economically. Encourage policymakers to strengthen trade ties beyond the U.S., especially with allies in Europe, the Indo-Pacific, and Africa. Support local businesses that embody sustainable and just practices.
2. Support the Most Vulnerable. Push for policies that protect workers in industries most affected by tariffs. Advocate for retraining programs, social safety nets, and innovation grants.
3. Embrace Ethical Leadership. Demand from our leaders a posture of humility, service, and vision. Reward those who prioritize long-term well-being over short-term wins.
4. Build National Solidarity. Resist the temptation to scapegoat or despair. Use this time to foster deeper national unity—across provinces, cultures, and classes.
A Challenge, and a Comfort
The challenge: Will we be willing to let the old assumptions die? Will we allow the seed of a new Canadian identity to take root—one that does not define success by dependency or dominance, but by compassion, courage, and creativity?
The comfort: This is not the first time a people have faced a cross. And history, like the Gospel, teaches us this: on the other side of death, there is resurrection.
Canada can and will rise—not merely by resisting external pressures, but by transforming from within.
Let us fall into the soil, not in fear, but in faith. Let us bear much fruit.
