Put this in the USMCA (CUSMA) elimination/negotiation file.  Europe has already been the visible example of what happens when you open your market to low price Chinese EVs.

With the recent agreement by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Chinese auto manufacturers are now rushing to establish the dealerships, before the Beijing-Canada deal becomes an issue in the USMCA negotiation.

China is NOT going into Canada because they foresee a great market of Snow Mexicans purchasing their low price EVs.  They are going into Canada as a proactive measure to establish a North American footprint with an eye toward the USA.

(VIA MSM) – BYD and Chery are accelerating plans to establish a dealership network in Canada after the country introduced a quota allowing tens of thousands of Chinese-made EVs to enter at reduced tariffs. The rollout will begin in Toronto before expanding to other major cities, with BYD targeting about 20 dealerships in its first year. This marks a significant new front in North American EV competition, as Chinese automakers seek growth outside the U.S., where prohibitive tariffs keep them out.

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Senators Chuck Grassley and Ron Johnson released 30 pages of documents today outlining how the Jack Smith investigation “Arctic Frost” was used to capture records of former Trump administration officials [SEE HERE].

In addition to information showing how Jack Smith was collaborating and strategizing with DC Judge James Boasberg in advance of the subpoena submissions, literally strategizing how best to target Donald Trump, there is something even more interesting in the release.

Many people have wondered why FBI Director Kash Patel seems compromised since he took office.  Well, the FBI subpoena into then civilian Kash Patel, highlights the extent of the FBI operation as they gathered background intelligence that could be used for blackmail and leverage over the eventual FBI Director.

[Source pdf page 28]

As noted by Hans Manche: “It didn’t just ask for Kash Patel’s phone records, it asked for everything he did from 2020 to 2023. Just to name a few, they requested all usernames and screen names, every address and email, complete billing and payment details including credit card and bank account numbers, every device ID, and a full log of every call, text, and voicemail showing who was contacted, when, and for how long. They also obtained all internet session data, including the exact IP addresses. So, this wasn’t just about who Kash called. It was basically a complete view of his entire life, mapping his daily routines, travel, relationships, finances, and even tracking the specific hardware he used. In short, they got a full digital shadow of his life.”

Yep, that’s how the FBI operates.

That’s how the FBI establishes leverage against anyone they view against their interests.

Now does the activity of FBI Director Kash Patel look a little differently with hindsight?

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Obviously, one of the challenges faced by President Trump following the elimination of all senior Iran political leadership, is to know who is left in power that has the ability to negotiate terms between Iran and the U.S.

During the Q&A media segment of Mark Wayne Mullin’s swearing in ceremony, President Trump was asked how he can trust the Iranian leadership he is currently communicating with.  President Trump responded that he doesn’t trust anyone; however, the voices in Iran currently negotiating with the U.S. team sent something of great value to the White House to verify their Bonafide’s.  It is an interesting segment.  WATCH (prompted):

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CPAC 2026 is scheduled to begin March 25 through March 28 in Grapevine, Texas.  Interestingly, President Trump not scheduled to speak at the event; neither is JD Vance, Marco Rubio or any other potential GOP 2028 nominee including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

There are a few cabinet members scheduled as speakers [SEE HERE], however, all of the major MAGA politicians are not in attendance.  It will be interesting to see if the attendance at CPAC 2026 is impacted.

The absence of Donald Trump, JD Vance, Marco Rubio, Ron DeSantis or any other major MAGA-era politician is not that surprising given the commercialized nature and evolution of the organization under the leadership of Matt and Mercedes Schlapp.  The Schlapp’s are highly focused on affluence and considerably disconnected from the MAGA base.

When you chase money, you end up with traditional Republican outcomes.  The corporate assembly that CPAC became has been spiraling downward in influence for the past dozen years.  However, it is still remarkable to see just how diminished the organization has become.

Steve Bannon remains on the schedule to speak, and the remaining list of easily identifiable speakers resembles a Bannon podcast guest list.  There are several foreign ‘conservatives’ scheduled to participate, but there are zero potential 2028 candidates in the currently displayed list of speakers.  Ted Cruz will be there.

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In an effort to keep the Daily Open Thread a little more open topic we are going to start a new daily thread for “Presidential Politics”. Please use this thread to post anything relating to the Donald Trump Administration and Presidency.

This thread will refresh daily and appear above the Open Discussion Thread.

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Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL.

For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen †

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Barbara Boyd gives her perspective on the latest developments and President Trump policy intersects with the Iran conflict and the Mideast oil disruption.

According to the latest information from the region, some ships have begun navigating the Strait of Hormuz despite the conflict.  It is reported that Iran is charging a $2 million fee for safe passage, however those reports are not officially confirmed.

Mrs Boyd notes the Arab nations have historically -and recently- remained under the control of the British, and President Trump has fractured this financial control system.  While there is an obvious historic reference to that relationship, I’m not as convinced the connective tissue is as deep as ¹claimed in the modern era (last 20 years).   WATCH:

In the modern era, thanks to technological advancement and strategic policy (even before Trump), oil and gas development and use has increasingly become regional.  Oil dependencies and the trade partnerships are now associated more with refinement capacity than simply global commodities.  Not all oil is created equal.

In the “producers and users” chart below, you can see the origin of regional production and import relationships.  The oil supplies from the middle east flow mainly to China and Asia.  The oil from Russia is the current wildcard.

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Earlier today the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral argument in Watson v. Republican National Committee, the RNC’s challenge to a Mississippi law allowing mail-in or absentee ballots to be counted up to five days of Election Day.

Many observers have noted the court seems likely to rule that ballots for federal elections must arrive on/before election day itself.   The full oral argument is below.  LISTEN:

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During his visit to Memphis, Tennessee, President Trump took a detour and stopped at Graceland the former home of Elvis Presley for a tour of the estate.  A few videos are included below.

President Trump signs a replica guitar to memorialize his visit.

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President Donald Trump travelled to Memphis, Tennessee for a roundtable discussion on the DOJ task force operations. The beginning of the remarks touch on the Iran conflict.  Video Below:

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