CANADA'S FREE RIDE JUST GOT THE CHECK

For a decade the polite neighbor ran a tab of about $50 billion a year in goods and smiled through it. This week the White House said the quiet part with a receipt: President Trump is finally ending Canada's free ride.

The rap sheet is not subtle. Discriminatory 25 percent tariffs and company-specific quotas on U.S. motor vehicles — not applied to anybody else — and U.S. vehicle exports crashed 22 percent in a year. American wine, beer, and spirits banned in nearly every province, and alcohol exports collapsed 81 percent. Dairy tariff-rate quotas tighter than Europe's, with over-quota tariffs near 300 percent, which is a ban wearing a bowtie. They even took a swing at Gulfstream until Washington cleared its throat.

Ottawa then announced another $27.6 billion in tariffs on American businesses — 50 percent on steel and aluminum, 25 percent on fish, 25 percent on tools — due September 8. That is not a trade partnership. That is a shakedown with maple syrup on top.

The United States already put duties on the books in July to offset the discrimination in alcohol, dairy, and autos, then suspended them in August while the conversation continued. The President has been consistent since the first term: reciprocity or no deal. If they want to sell northbound, they can stop treating American products like contraband.

Bean Counting's advice to the comment section: stop apologizing for wanting a fair cup. A diner that gives away the pie goes out of business. America is still open. Canada can pick up the check or watch the pot go cold.