At one time, the loonie had greater value than the US$. In both cases, the nation's money is worth only what the government says it is. Neither has any intrinsic value any more. Even the US silver clad coins that I saved back in the 70s have some intrinsic value; not current coinage, though. My $10 rolls of used 60's silver-clad half dollars have been selling for around $50 on ebay! Earlier silver coins worth even more, even if well worn.

The US mint now sells a 2016 gold coin (face value $50) for about the value of an ounce of gold (about $1250). You have to be on the approved list and buy a lot of them though; dealers only. If other citizens want one, they have to buy from one of the dealers and pay an added markup.

The last US coins to have intrinsic value close to face value (due to the precious metal they contained) are over 50 years old. What will it take to "Make America Great Again"? Probably not DT, but politicians who understand what real money is, for the USA and for Canada, and (I suppose) for the rest of America south of here.