The previous GAE policy of allowing reasonable autonomy to the central provinces (Canada et al) is no longer felt to be in the interest of American primacy - many of the provinces if allowed to exercise sovereignty in a multipolar world would no longer automatically choose the US

In a multipolar world where choosing the US is no longer the default option - protectionism is a way of bolting the doors, locking in allies against their will and holding them hostage.

The pain this will cause in the provinces will of course incite the flames of rebellion and will force many to ask "What is the point of being a GAE vassal anymore?" - when that gains momentum there will be new populisms potentially - GAExit on the cards?

Unlike the EU for all its faults there is no constitutional or political identity here that is being shaped by Trumpism outside of accelerating sovcorp/megacartel raiding of state assets

Populism with oligarchic/plutocratic characteristics by cynically deploying protectionism to keep the USD based Wall Street ponzi scheme going, will unsurprisingly not save the West - it accelerates its death