If Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte is to be believed, Canada has one week to pick up after itself before the Southeast Asian archipelago of islands sends in the troops.
So, what the hell?
The story begins in 2016, when Canada allegedly sending a heap of garbage to Manila. The shipment
Despite Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claiming in 2017 that “Canada is very much engaged in finding a solution on that,” it appears as though Canada has not engaged in finding a solution. This has inspired Duterte to threaten Canada with war.
“I will not allow that kind of sh*t,” Duterte said at a press conference on Tuesday, likely referring to the literal sh*t that arrived on his shores via Canada. “We’ll declare war against them.”
He has given Canada an ultimatum: remove the trash within a week or he will return it by force. “I’ll give a warning to Canada maybe next week that they better pull that thing out or I will set sail,” said Duterte. “I will advise Canada that your garbage is on the way. Prepare a grand reception. Eat it if you want to.”
All indications suggest the Canadian government is actually engaging in a solution this time. “A joint technical working group, consisting of officials from both countries, is examining the full spectrum of issues related to the removal of the waste with a view to a timely resolution,” said Canada’s Embassy in the Philippines yesterday.
While Duterte’s declaration of war is pretty wild and maybe illegal, a Canadian law firm stated that Canada was “in violation of the international Basel Convention, which forbids developed nations from sending their toxic or hazardous waste to developing nations without informed consent.”
Stay tuned next week to find out which Asian country we’ll burn diplomatic bridges with next.