There once was a lawyer named Rex
Who was endowed with a small organ of sex
When tried for exposure, he replied with composure
De minimis non curat lex!
De minimis is a Latin expression meaning “The law does not concern itself with trifles”, a legal doctrine dating back to the 15th century by which a court refuses to consider inconsequential matters.
Based solely upon the customary news channels, the tariff war between Canada and the United States is hugely unsettling, a cause for urgent knee-jerk reaction and much philosophic introspection, contributing equally to a growing division between the two international allies. However what follows is a heartening summary of intelligence just received from one of my former law school housemates, Daniel Laprès whose review is far more encouraging.
Of course I have no way of “fact checking” the details. Frankly as a consumer whose common retail expenditure is now rather limited, the impact of tariffs would likely be minimal in any event. What however disturbs me more is the inescapable bad press which the alleged assault upon our friendship has taken. While this is more so important if it were true, it is heinous if it were not. The posturing of politicians on both sides of the borders (Canada/USA/Mexico) amounts to selfish grandstanding for their political advantage only. Meanwhile the populace of the respective countries is having to confront the need to make what are being sold as hurtful decisions for workers; and, in the result, selective decisions to harm others in retaliation. Already this morning the Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau complimented Canadians for drying up on travel plans to the United States and for refusing to buy goods other than those made in Canada. Across the board, American liquor has been banned from the shelves in Canada. As a non-drinker of alcohol this has no impact on me whatsoever; but, as a convenient platform for political exhibitionism it is inarguable. The confusion similarly attaches to Trump’s assertion that the tariffs are important to minimize Canada’s illegal fentanyl exports which have been proven to be virtually insignificant. Yet the damage to relations between Canadians and Americans flourishes in the heat of the moment as politicians denounce one another upon the world’s stage.
I understand the American president is scheduled to deliver his own speech to Americans this evening regarding these trade wars. Two things are possible: one, he perpetuates the myths required to sustain the executive decisions; or, two, he reframes the reasons in an entirely new and more palatable breeding. Either way, he will have misled his population and, in the process, undermined the healthy business relationships between the former allies. There is no question that politicians on both sides of the borders see the trade war as an opportunity to strengthen themselves by dividing others. It has boiled down to a family feud from which there are no winners, only injured emotions. So while I am pleased, as M. Laprès asserts that, “…the harm to Canadian consumers is minimized“, I’m unable to dismiss the arraignment as “de minimis non curat lex“. The evidence is upon the wrong organ.
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Canada Trade Summary
U.S. total goods trade with Canada were an estimated $762.1 billion in 2024. U.S. goods exports to Canada in 2024 were $349.4 billion, down 1.4 percent ($5.0 billion) from 2023. U.S. goods imports from Canada in 2024 totaled $412.7 billion, down 1.4 percent ($5.9 billion) from 2023. The U.S. goods trade deficit with Canada was $63.3 billion in 2024, a 1.4 percent decrease ($926.9 million) over 2023.
Office of the United States Trade Representative
Executive office of the President of the United States
Hello friends,
It seems that the Canadian Government, like that of the PRC during the First Trump Trade War (2018), has confined its tariff increases to an almost insignificant range of total imports of goods from the US.
Canada has imposed a tariff increase, the rate of which is impressive – 25% – thus standing up to the US and saving face.
Few will pay any attention to the extent of imports covered, which corresponds to less than 10% of the value of all US imports in 2024.
Thus, the harm to Canadian consumers is minimized.
Daniel Arthur Laprès
Avocat au Barreau de Paris
Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society (Life member)
11 boulevard Sébastopol75001 Paris France
Tel: 01.53.32.50.77
web site: www.lapres.net