[Admiral Beez]

@Admiral Beez will be particularly intrigued by this:

Canada eyes more ways to ship oil to China as U.S. threatens trade

The success of the Trans Mountain expansion is stoking Canada’s desire to further decouple from its unpredictable neighbour. Keep reading.

financialpost.com

Let's use China's hunger for non-USA oil as leverage to clear the tariffs against Canadian agricultural exports.

Ocean cruises departing from Halifax avoiding America are experiencing growth,

I'm taking a cruise from NYC this summer, which we'd booked before the Nov 2024 election. I've also just returned from an industry event in Orlando that was also booked before Nov 2024. These two trips will be my last to the USA until after Jan 2029. I am however seeing a big jump from overseas in my business, with our first exports to Taiwan and Singapore shipping this month, and the fruits of my Feb 2025 China trip are coming along nicely - so I expect to travel overseas to non-USA places.

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

I vote for accepting refugees

Yes, but be careful of winning that battle and losing the war (see Eastern Europe - particularly Germany).

AoD

 

[guavadelic]

There is merit to that, as we need skilled construction workers and tradespeople, and young adults. Though I expect many would get their Canadian passports and then return to the USA in a now less deportable state, where their roots are.

Considering that 77 million Americans just voted for the current regime, not sure we'll see the U.S. become that anytime soon.

 

[picard102]

Yeah, until someone reigns in social media platforms and their algorithmic, and now AI, propaganda machines it's only going to get worse.

 

[Monarch Butterfly]

Trump administration takes aim at Harvard’s international students and tax-exempt status​

From https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-trump-administration-takes-aim-at-harvards-international-students-and/

President Donald Trump’s administration has escalated its ongoing battle with Harvard, threatening to revoke the university’s ability to host international students as the president called for withdrawing Harvard’s tax-exempt status.

The moves raise the stakes of the showdown between the White House and the nation’s oldest, wealthiest and arguably most prestigious university, which on Monday became the first to openly defy the administration’s demands related to activism on campus, antisemitism and diversity.

The Department of Homeland Security ordered Harvard late Tuesday to turn over “detailed records” of its foreign student visa holders ’ “illegal and violent activities” by April 30. The department also said it was cancelling two grants.

By taking action against international students and the school’s tax status, the administration struck at two pillars of Harvard, where international students make up 27% of the campus, and the majority of the student body is in graduate school, often conducting nationally prominent research. Furthermore, the school has risen to distinction by attracting the world’s top talent and large, tax-deductible gifts from the country’s richest donors.

The federal government has already frozen more than $2 billion in grants and contracts to the Ivy League institution.

BTW. Prime Minister Mark Carney graduated with a bachelor's degree in economics from Harvard University in 1988 (on a partial scholarship and financial aid), then studied at the University of Oxford, where he earned a master's degree in 1993 and a doctorate in 1995. Hmmm.

 

[Northern Light]

Seeing some stuff on social from those who are in the freight movement business or follow same.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/conorsen.b...9VvAoDYp89jvlyL-EL_aem_lp26T0Uk0b86z8QobN8vqw

Edit to add.... I quickly scanned multiple sources that follow the shipping industry.

They indicate that over the next 2-3 weeks Traffic from China to the U.S. will be off at least 40% and maybe as much as 60% while trade with other nations won't be hit as hard but will be off 10-25%

Be interested to hear @Admiral Beez take on the impacts of this......and anyone dealing w/logistics of this type.

 

[Bojaxs]

Seeing some stuff on social from those who are in the freight movement business or follow same.

View attachment 645002

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/conorsen.b...9VvAoDYp89jvlyL-EL_aem_lp26T0Uk0b86z8QobN8vqw

Edit to add.... I quickly scanned multiple sources that follow the shipping industry.

They indicate that over the next 2-3 weeks Traffic from China to the U.S. will be off at least 40% and maybe as much as 60% while trade with other nations won't be hit as hard but will be off 10-25%

Be interested to hear @Admiral Beez take on the impacts of this......and anyone dealing w/logistics of this type.

I work at CN's intermodal yard in Brampton. It's gotten noticeably slower. The days of "open OT" during the covid years seem to be over. No lay offs, but the OT has certainly dried up. Whether it's related to the tariffs is hard to say. It started slowing down roughly before Trump got elected.

Trump imposing fees on Chinese ships docking at U.S. ports could be good for Canada. Chinese ships will simply dock at B.C. ports and move their freight into America via rail.

 

[Northern Light]

I work at CN's intermodal yard in Brampton. It's gotten noticeably slower. The days of "open OT" during the covid years seem to be over. No lay offs, but the OT has certainly dried up. Whether it's related to the tariffs is hard to say. It started slowing down roughly before Trump got elected.

Thnx for the info.

Trump imposing fees on Chinese ships docking at U.S. ports could be good for Canada. Chinese ships will simply dock at B.C. ports and move their freight into America via rail.

Sorry to say, there are there are rules against that sort of thing embedded in trade agreements and tariff terms.

There are certainly ways to end-run tariffs; the Chinese were already ready doing this by exporting items to Mexico, then sending them north under the CUSMA trade arrangement.

However, the Mexican did have to do something with or add something to the Chinese product to get into the U.S. tariff-free. They couldn't just accept a Chinese import, and redirect it. That would still be tariff'ed.

***

That's not to say traffic may not move to Canada; but the reasons are somewhat different.

For instance:

1) China is currently moving to not buy U.S. oil; one of its alternative sources is Canada, though in that case the volume is coming through the new Trans Mountain pipeline.

2) China is moving to cut imports of U.S. agriculture; Canada is an obvious direct alternative, that product would mostly go to Vancouver via rail.

3) IF, they believe tariffs are staying, then moving traffic to Vancouver doesn't, by itself, remove tariffs from Chinese products in the U.S., what it does do, is remove them from being subject to tariffs in Canada (assuming we aren't tariff'ing China)..
For clarity. A finished Chinese good, let's say a TV, arrives in the U.S. via shipping, it may be that the U.S. importer supplies Canada and Mexico from that arrangement. The new U.S. tariff my apply, regardless of where the finished good ends up.

Importing to Canada, or Mexico should exempt the item from the U.S. tariffs if being sold in Canada or Mexico (but not the U.S.)

 

[afransen]

Trump administration takes aim at Harvard’s international students and tax-exempt status​

From https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-trump-administration-takes-aim-at-harvards-international-students-and/


BTW. Prime Minister Mark Carney graduated with a bachelor's degree in economics from Harvard University in 1988 (on a partial scholarship and financial aid), then studied at the University of Oxford, where he earned a master's degree in 1993 and a doctorate in 1995. Hmmm.

This is classic authoritarian playbook.

 

[evandyk]

3) IF, they believe tariffs are staying, then moving traffic to Vancouver doesn't, by itself, remove tariffs from Chinese products in the U.S., what it does do, is remove them from Canada (assuming we aren't tariff'ing China)..
For clarity. A finishing Chinese good, let's say a TV, arrives in the U.S. via shipping, it may be that the U.S. importer supplies Canada and Mexico from that arrangement. The new U.S. tariff my apply, regardless of where the finished good ends up.

I don't know how all of these things interact, but in addition to the tariffs, there was talk of imposing per-ship fees for every Chinese ship docking at American ports. Is it possible that you could avoid those fees by docking in Vancouver rather than Seattle/LA, even though that would have no impact on tariffs charged on the goods you're shipping?

https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/18/business/us-china-ships-docking-fees-intl-hnk/index.html

 

[Monarch Butterfly]

How many of you backpacked or travelled different countries when in your teens or twenties? A warning for some planning to do so in the States.

Why These Hawaii Travelers Were Jailed And Deported​

From https://beatofhawaii.com/why-these-hawaii-travelers-were-jailed-and-deported/

Two young German travelers expected their Hawaii trip to be the highlight of a months-long world adventure. Instead, their visit ended in handcuffs, jail time, and deportation — a stark reminder of the risks some international visitors face at U.S. borders.

This story was first reported in Germany’s Ostsee-Zeitung newspaper, a major regional daily that has been published for over seventy years. The German Foreign Office confirmed its involvement in the case, providing consular support after the travelers were detained in Honolulu.

Why U.S. border officials flagged their travel plans.​

Charlotte Pohl, 19, and Maria Lepere, 18, arrived in Honolulu from Auckland with plans to explore Hawaii before continuing to California and Costa Rica. However, their flexible travel style — including a lack of pre-booked lodging for their planned five-week Hawaii stay — raised red flags for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Despite having ESTA travel authorization, the two were accused of potential illegal work intentions, a common concern for border officials screening young travelers without fixed plans.

The German Foreign Office later reminded travelers that ESTA approval does not guarantee entry to the U.S. — a decision always left to border officials at the point of arrival.

What happens when travelers get detained in Hawaii.​

The travelers described their detention experience as shocking and surreal.

After hours of questioning at Honolulu Airport, they said they were placed in handcuffs, loaded into a transport vehicle, and brought to what they later learned was a deportation detention facility.

There, they reported being subjected to full-body scans, strip searches, and issued green prison uniforms. They were placed in a holding cell overnight alongside long-term detainees, including individuals accused of serious crimes.

Conditions described included sleeping on thin, moldy mattresses, using rudimentary toilets, and being warned by guards to avoid expired food.

The following morning, the travelers were escorted back to Honolulu Airport in handcuffs and deported — not to Germany, but to Japan, at their request, avoiding a longer return trip to New Zealand.

Recent reports suggest growing travel hesitation on both sides of the Atlantic.​

Some U.S. travelers are expressing uncertainty about how they’ll be received in parts of Europe. At the same time, European visitors are raising concerns about stricter U.S. border enforcement, with fears of detention or deportation now influencing travel plans.

United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has tried to ease concerns of European travelers wanting to visit the USA by saying, “If you’re not coming to the United States to join a Hamas protest, or to come here and tell us about how right Hamas is, or…stir up conflict on our campuses and create riots in our streets and vandalize our universities, then you have nothing to worry about.”

Why ESTA approval doesn’t guarantee entry to Hawaii.​

The ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) allows citizens of certain countries to travel to the U.S. for short stays without a visa. However, ESTA approval permits travel to a U.S. port of entry, where border officials have the final say on whether to grant entry.

In many cases, travelers without clear lodging plans, a well-defined itinerary, or proof of sufficient funds may be denied entry. U.S. officials may also raise concerns if they suspect a visitor could be planning to work illegally or stay beyond their permitted time. Even honest answers about working remotely or being flexible with travel plans can raise additional questions that may not end well for some visitors.

In this case, the travelers said their spontaneous, flexible travel style — common in places like New Zealand and Thailand — did not translate well when entering the U.S., where stricter documentation is often expected.

Germany’s updated travel advisory now explicitly warns that “entry to the United States is at the sole discretion of U.S. border authorities.”

What Hawaii visitors should know now.​

This case highlights the importance of preparation and documentation for anyone planning a trip to Hawaii from abroad. Travelers should expect to clearly explain their travel plans, show proof of accommodations for their entire stay, and provide evidence of onward or return travel.

Visitors must also have proof of sufficient funds to support themselves while in Hawaii and be ready to answer detailed questions from U.S. border officials. A vague or incomplete explanation of travel plans could lead to delays, further questioning, or even denial of entry.

While most international visitors experience no issues entering Hawaii, this case serves as a cautionary reminder that what works in other countries may not work when dealing with U.S. immigration authorities.

Broader concerns for Hawaii tourism.​

Stories like this could impact Hawaii’s image, particularly among international visitors facing high costs and growing overtourism concerns.

With global media coverage of this case and broader concerns spreading through Germany and Europe, some travelers may reconsider their Hawaii plans or choose destinations perceived as more welcoming.

Hawaii’s reputation as a dream destination depends not only on its natural beauty but also on the overall visitor experience. That includes what happens when travelers step off the plane and enter immigration and customs.

The bottom line for Hawaii visitors.​

Whether arriving from Germany, Canada, Australia, or anywhere else, international visitors to Hawaii must be fully prepared for the possibility of detailed questioning at the border. As these young visitors learned, ESTA is a travel authorization, not a guaranteed ticket into Hawaii.

Understanding the process and preparing accordingly can help avoid the risk of detention or deportation, and ensure Hawaii remains the dream trip it was always intended to be.

Hawaii became unforgettable for these two young visitors for all the wrong reasons. Their story is a cautionary tale for future visitors from abroad.

 

[evandyk]

I'll say it again. How is this country supposed to host a World Cup in 2026 and the Olympics in 2028?

 

[lenaitch]

How many of you backpacked or travelled different countries when in your teens or twenties? A warning for some planning to do so in the States.

Why These Hawaii Travelers Were Jailed And Deported​

From https://beatofhawaii.com/why-these-hawaii-travelers-were-jailed-and-deported/

It's not only at Ports of Entry. The Amtrak train was completely domestic. Explaining yourself to the State is being normalized.

https://www.havredailynews.com/story/2025/04/17/local/border-patrol-agents-question-amtrak-passengers-in-havre-about-citizenship/547792.html

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

I'll say it again. How is this country supposed to host a World Cup in 2026 and the Olympics in 2028?

I don't think "this country" cared.

AoD

 

[evandyk]

The current leadership certainly doesn't. I'm thinking more of the organizations' leadership. What a disaster for them.