As tensions between the US and Canada escalate, a long-standing dispute over Machias Seal Island sparks fresh concerns about the future of their relationship. Can the two nations find common ground amidst rising rhetoric and natural resource disputes?
The 277 square miles of sea around Machias Seal Island has been under dispute since the late 1700s – a quirk that has stood as an isolated area of tension in what had been, until now, an otherwise close relationship between the two countries.
Located in the Bay of Fundy, Machias Seal Island is a small island on the border between Canada and the United States.
The island is home to a large colony of harbor seals, which can be observed during guided tours.
The island's unique location allows for stunning views of the surrounding waters and the nearby cliffs.
In 1813, the island was the site of a brief but intense battle between American and British forces.
Today, the island is a protected nature reserve and a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts.
Canada and the US have disputed the sovereignty of the ‘Grey Zone‘ since the 1700s. In 1984, an international court ruling gave both the US and Canada the right to fish in the waterway. Despite this, tensions remain high, with both sides accusing each other of encroaching on their territorial waters.
The grey zone refers to a moral or legal ambiguity where actions are neither clearly right nor wrong.
This concept is often used in international relations, law, and ethics.
In 'grey areas,' individuals or organizations may face conflicting loyalties, duties, or obligations.
The grey zone can be characterized by uncertainty, complexity, and the need for nuanced decision-making.
It is essential to analyze context, laws, and values when navigating the grey zone to make informed choices.
For lobstermen like John Drouin, who has fished in the Grey Zone for 30 years, the dispute is a daily reality. ‘People have literally lost parts of their bodies, have had concussions, [their] head smashed and everything,’ he says. The injuries are caused when lobstermen get caught up in each other’s lines.
The dispute appears to be going nowhere, but during Trump‘s first presidency, events in the Grey Zone did not appear to be intruding greatly on the overall warmth between the US and Canada. However, his rhetoric has since changed sharply. In recent months, Trump has repeatedly called Canada the ’51st state’ of the US – and the White House has expressed a willingness to open up new areas of dispute all along the US-Canada border.
Donald Trump was born on June 14, 1946, in Queens, New York.
He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in economics.
Before entering politics, Trump built a business empire through real estate development and hosting reality TV shows.
In 2015, he announced his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination and won the election on November 8, 2016.
During his presidency, Trump implemented policies on taxation, healthcare, and immigration.
He also faced controversy over allegations of 'Russian interference' in the 2016 election.
Natural resources are another source of dispute. Canada has vast supplies of rare earth metals, gold, oil, coal and lumber – the kind of natural wealth that Trump has long prized. While Trump has disavowed any desire for Canada‘s lumber, energy stockpiles or manufactured products, in February Trudeau reportedly told a closed-door meeting of Canadian business and labour leaders that he saw it differently.
Prof Williams acknowledges that it’s difficult to figure out exactly what the US president is thinking – a view wholeheartedly endorsed by John Bolton, who served as Trump‘s national security adviser for more than a year of his first presidential term. ‘Trump has no philosophy,’ he says. The president is currently fixated on minerals and natural resources, but Mr Bolton argues the best way to go about doing that is through the private sector, not by floating the idea of annexing an ally.
Canadians have already been boycotting US products and cancelling winter trips south, which has had an impact on tourist communities in Florida. ‘We’re not looking for a fight, but Canada’s ready for one,’ says Mr Heath-Rawlings. The idea that the trust between the US and Canada has been broken is one that’s been embraced by the country’s new prime minister, Mark Carney.
The relationship between the US and Canada is now at a crossroads. With Trump‘s comments sparking a series of fresh flashpoints, it remains to be seen whether the two countries can find common ground once again or if the tensions will escalate into something more serious.
- bbc.com | What Trump really wants from Canada
