They do need the people to do the labour to get the stuff from the land. That's traditionally been part of the neocolonial formula after WWII. 😄 So we'll stay, but work for a pittance with no welfare state or universal healthcare. We'll pay taxes but get no vote.

" Controlled or administered by the United States but whose residents don't have voting representation in federal elections, the clearest examples are U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Residents of these territories generally cannot vote for president in the general election while living in the territory, and they have non-voting delegates (or a resident commissioner in Puerto Rico) in the U.S. House rather than voting members." This is why Carney turned down the U.S agreement. THIS is why Carney is standing up to the Cheetoh.

If they did he'd cave quickly. Look how quickly he changed his mind after China started adjusting their critical mineral exports.

Read an analysis about that: it'll take years. It's not just a case of load on boat -> profit, a lot of the infrastructure takes those minerals south to the US. You'd have to build new loading, rail, unloading and port infrastructure.

This may very well be worth the cost and even starting that process is a strong signal, but it's not as simple as flipping a switch.

The US is the largest market then China. So how is Europe going to replace them?

Yup, the entitled mediocre USA doesn’t deserve anyone’s business.