An opinion piece by Fox News's David Marcus argues that Canadians view the ongoing US-Canada trade dispute as an existential crisis, while most Americans are largely unaware it is happening. Drawing on comments from Gary Mar, president of the Canada West Foundation and a former Alberta trade minister, the article contrasts the intense Canadian media focus and public "Buy Canadian" boycotts of US goods with the story's minimal presence in American news coverage. It matters because the two countries face a 7 September deadline to strike a new trade deal or face steep tariffs on both sides, and the mismatch in public attention could shape how the negotiations, and their political fallout, play out.

The piece highlights political asymmetries too: some US Democrats, including Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, have criticised Donald Trump's approach, whereas Canadian conservatives such as Pierre Poilievre would find it politically untenable to openly back Trump. Mar suggests Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney may benefit domestically from national unity against the tariffs, and that Carney could be using tariffs strategically to pressure swing US states like Michigan and Maine ahead of the midterms. However, Mar cautions that the sheer scale of the US economy gives Washington far greater leverage in any escalating "tit-for-tat" tariff fight, though the piece notes both sides have strong incentives to reach a deal before the deadline.