I somewhat agree with your point but after years of him saying he would do fucked up shit and then him doing a lot of it, it helps to be prepared for his intentions as they manifest into actions in many cases.

All I know is that Quebec would never allow that

All hail GiGa Montana

There's no basis for tariffs on Mexico either.

It potentially reduces exports from Canada to the US, hurting our economy. Nobody wins

My understanding is that tariffs in general can apply to both imports and exports, on either side.

Canada's oligarchs like the fact that only Israel and US is allowed to compete with them, and elections are cheaper to buy. A single state makes them lose power. Population understands only negatives from US, and also would not vote for Trump.

Unfortunately for Canadians, they are still programmed to side with US over China and Russia, and that programming makes it a blasphemy to seek independence that would also protect them from the US. As long as Canada's position is to beg to restore its fully subservient colonial status, then the Trump extortion will continue.

One goal that Musk would have behind this is that it can destroy the big 3 automakers.

Not likely.

Canada is also America's largest trading partner.

America had $357 billion dollars worth of imports from Canada in 2023, if they introduce a 25% tarriff Americans will pay $446 billion instead because it's not like you'll get all that stuff anywhere else for cheaper since America is going to put tariffs on practically every other country they trade with apparently.

Corporations spend billions on the current infrastructure and trade routes and logistics, they will not uproot everything and go through the pains of firing everyone then moving to America and retraining because of a short term loss. American administrations are fickle, many of them will simply wait out the 4 years hoping it will return to normal then. If it doesn't then maybe they might consider it then but for the next 4 years Americans are going to be paying a shitload more for anything that's not made in America.

American businesses will also find it a lot more difficult to sell their products out of the country when those countries retaliate with tarriffs against them.