Overview:
The central argument is that the Trump administration’s actions during the past week represent a broader assault on the principle of sovereignty—not only the sovereignty of Indigenous nations, but the sovereignty of foreign countries and other institutions that traditionally operate independently of the White House.
The piece uses Canada, the Tohono O’odham Nation and Venezuela as three examples of what the author sees as a growing willingness by the administration to use U.S. power to dictate terms to other sovereign entities.
It’s worth noting that last week represented a sustained attack on the concept of sovereignty. Not just the sovereignty of Indigenous nations, mind you, but a White House plenary command that runs over any nation (or for that matter, any institution.)
There are a lot of issues to pick from as evidence. Here are three: Demanding that Canada only sign trade deals with other nations on U.S. terms. Or sending masked DHS agents into a tribal nation. Or the THE BIGGEST OIL DEAL IN WORLD HISTORY” in Venezuela.
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And the dismissal of sovereignty will continue because this week, the Treasury Secretary is meeting with G-20 nations and will increase demand other nations support the Iran war, especially the economic war. Or else.
Of course the flaw in all of this is that sovereignty has a longer shelf life than one president. Each of these infractions can be undone. And will be.
Canada picked sovereignty over trade in its dealings with the United States.
From the South China Morning Post:
“Negotiations between the US and Canada broke down late Friday, with both sides accusing each other of adding unreasonable last-minute demands. Walking away from the negotiating table, Canada said that the US had introduced, among other measures, efforts to restrict its authority to make independent trade agreements.
“This is clearly a reference to China,” said John Gong, a professor at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing.
“He noted that Canada had “stood firm” on the position that its relations with third countries were a matter of national sovereignty.
“This is certainly beneficial for China-Canada trade,” Gong added, noting that China could, for example, purchase more oil from Canada.”
There are other ramifications of the Canadian trade dispute are unfolding.
Over the weekend, on, of course, Truth Social, the president said turned up the rhetoric, calling Canada “the worst.”
“They’ve been ripping us off for decades, and it’s going to stop. This should have happened long ago with other Presidents, just as stopping Iran should have happened long ago,” Trump he posted.
And, it’s important to remember, that despite the nasty talk, the increased back and forth tariffs only represent about 5 percent of the trade. That’s because Canadian trade is that critical — and if there really was a total break, then gas prices would probably top $10 a gallon and electricity prices would go through the roof (or be totally cut off from the Northeast.)
And the “one-sided” trade that Trump so hates is only that way because of energy. On most products and services, the U.S. sells more to Canada than it buys. Here in Idaho, for example, last year some $1.8 billion was exported (almost 40 percent of everything Idaho sells to anyone) and we purchased $1.2 billion worth of goods and services.
And another key agricultural trade item, fertilizer (significant when there’s already a shortage because of the Iran war).
Zions Bank economist Robert Spendlove told the Idaho Press:
“When turning to history, the trade war in the lead up to the Great Depression presents on analog for the employment of wide-reaching tariffs, and Spendlove said the outcomes are “both bad.”
“Either we see higher inflation,” Spendlove said. “Or we see decreased economic activity.”
Another story that shows the impact of this trade on the region was published in The Washington Post, reporting about a farmer on the Blackfeet Nation who needs machine parts from across the border.
The White House reponse:
“Asked about the tribe’s litigation and concerns, White House spokesman Kush Desai wrote in an emailed statement that “the reality is that decades of lopsided trade arrangements have undermined workers, farmers, and business across America.” He added that Trump is “committed to the prosperity and wellbeing of every American, and that includes Native American communities.”
Then there was the direct attack on the Tohono O’odham Nation.
From Cronkite News Service about the Department of Homeland Security sending mask agents into a tribal nation. Secretary Markwayne Mullin did not negotiate. Or consult. He sent a military force.
“Agents from Customs and Border Protection and the Bureau of Indian Affairs entered the Tohono O’odham Nation at 4 a.m. on Tuesday to prevent tribal authorities from blocking contractors, according to a statement issued that day by the Nation.
“Jason Nichols, like Mullin a member of the Cherokee Nation, called the incursion by masked agents a “step backward” in federal-tribal relations – and surprising, given Mullin’s “knowledge on the importance of tribal sovereignty.”
The former mayor of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, was Mullin’s Democratic opponent in 2018 when he won a U.S. House seat. He was dubious about Mullin’s preparation for the homeland security post, he said, but had been relatively impressed with his performance on border policy until this incident.
“What I’m hoping for is that they take a deep breath, you know, take one step back,” Nichols said, referring to Mullin’s department. He called for “substantive consultation with the tribe, because I do think the tribes have proven to be willing and even eager partners.”
“Indeed, the Tohono O’odham have long cooperated with the federal government on border security, though the Nation has also strongly opposed wall construction. One all-Native American unit of Immigration and Customs Enforcement called the Shadow Wolves patrols the Sonoran desert from its base on the Nation.
“The Tohono O’odham has members and communities on both sides. Its land spans 62 miles of the border west of Nogales.”
And it’s a similar narrative involving Venezuela’s oil. The headline in “Energy Now” is particularly telling.
“Trump Announces Sweeping US Grab for Control of Venezuela’s Vast Oil Reserves.”
“The arrangement potentially places approximately one-fifth of Venezuela’s vast reserves under majority U.S. control, although Trump provided few details about precisely what “control” means or how the agreement will be structured.
“The administration is betting that American companies can help rebuild Venezuela’s badly damaged energy industry, increase the supply of heavy crude to U.S. refineries and ultimately place downward pressure on American gasoline prices.
“Venezuela possesses the world’s largest proven oil reserves but currently produces only about 1.25 million barrels per day—far below its historical output and enormous geological potential. Years of underinvestment, political interference, deteriorating infrastructure, operational mismanagement and international sanctions have severely weakened the country’s production capacity.”
The no-bid “deal” is supposed to be a good one for both countries. Only it’s details have not been released, so you’ll have to take the word of an administration that only believes in itself.
