[undoware]

You've nailed it.

I bailed on a MAAMA job in the states to move back to Canada.

Salary expectations (and currency!) are generally lower here, but the job market itself is hotter than I've ever seen it here.

My theory is that USA tech companies are friendshoring like mad.

In other words, Canada is picking up the recoil from the trade war with China. Biz that used to go to China (or even India) is now going to Toronto.

And every time a US company looks at their bottom line, they will recall that, if they hire three hours north of Seattle, they'll get something like a 40%-50% discount on total comp, PhDs out the wazoo, and a convenient, well-funded federal immigration system.

It's a no-brainer. What kind of fool would start a business in a politically unstable disaster-country where some populist executive order could cut you off from your supply of H1Bs next year?

Your job is moving to Canada (or possibly Europe,) and if you're smart, you'll move with it.