“If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.” — Sun Tzu, The Art of War

Let’s be honest, everyone who tried appeasement is in a much worse position with the man child.

Sun Tzu's advice is good - in 1-vs-1 hot wars with limited stakes.

That is not Canada's current situation, let alone its desired situation.

And diplomacy has many options between appeasement and provocation.

There does seem to be a strain of Trump respecting people for standing up to him.