Canada’s ambassador to the United States said Tuesday that Canada will work well with whoever wins the November presidential election, and that the government’s “Team Canada” stance of continually meeting with bipartisan officials from federal, provincial and local governments means the country is prepared for any eventuality.
Speaking to reporters after briefing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his team on the situation in Canada and the United States at a Liberal cabinet meeting in Halifax, Kirsten Hillman said Democrats and Republicans aren’t that different on this issue.
“The American people and those who represent them politically have very clear common ground with us in terms of economic growth, jobs, national security, energy security. They care about all of these things, whether they’re Republicans or Democrats,” Hillman said in French.
She added that while there may be differences “about how the parties want to achieve their goals,” “the goals are fundamentally the same.”
Canada’s U.S. ambassador, Kirsten Hillman, said she is “confident” that the Canadian government will pursue global tariff negotiations “in a manner favorable to Canada” if Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is elected in November. Hillman said Canada is “fully informed” about what to expect from an administration formed by either Trump or Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.
Hillman cited candidate Donald Trump’s threat to impose a 10% tariff on all imports, which could be a blow to the Canadian economy, given that an estimated $3.6 billion worth of goods cross the border every day, according to federal data.
Hillman said that if Trump were elected and implemented such a policy, “it could complicate things for Canada,” but he questioned whether tariffs could be easily applied in Canada’s case, given the impact they would have on many U.S. states that do significant trade with Canadian companies.
Trump and Trudeau’s personal relationship has been strained at times, and Trump has also criticized Canada’s NATO allies, including its military spending.
President Trump has vowed to crack down on “unfair trade deals,” which could lead to a renegotiation of the new NAFTA, which was renegotiated in 2019 after a lengthy process.
Under the terms of the agreement, the tripartite trade agreement is scheduled to be reviewed in 2026.
“A Trump victory creates uncertainty for Canadians and it creates uncertainty for Canadians. We have a pretty good idea of what direction the Trump administration is going to take on issues that affect Canada, and none of it is very good,” said Laura Dawson, an expert on Canada-U.S. relations and executive director of the Future Borders Coalition.
As for Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, Hillman said he expects her administration to be similar to the past four years of outgoing President Joe Biden’s administration.
Relations between Canada and the United States have been relatively cordial for nearly the past four years, but have been dogged by President Biden’s decision to prematurely halt construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline from Alberta and uncertainty about whether Canadian-made electric vehicles would qualify for U.S. tax credits.
“It’s pretty transparent. I don’t think it’s that complicated,” Hillman said of Harris’ policies, adding, “Harris will speak her mind.”
“Team Canada” makes a statement
Trudeau’s “Team Canada” consists of Hillman, Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne and International Trade Minister Mary Ng, and is supported by other government officials and business leaders.
For months, the ministers and Hillman have argued for Canada to maintain its close ties with the United States, repeatedly reminding Americans that Canada is an important trading partner and that any move that jeopardizes that relationship could be harmful to all involved.
The three visited 33 states and met with governors, local elected officials, and state legislators in 42 of the 50 states.
Hillman said he attended both the Democratic and Republican party conventions this summer, giving him the opportunity to meet party leaders face-to-face.
“Across the country, we have been trying to make sure the American people understand that we are moving from kindness to strategy,” Champagne said, adding that Canada would defend its interests at all times.
Hillman said that while there may be anti-Canadian sentiment from President Trump and some Republican lawmakers, Canada is “highly regarded and well-liked across the United States and viewed as a strategic partner.”
“I don’t believe there is any anti-Canadian sentiment within the Republican Party. I have spent months visiting Republicans across the country, many of whom are former President Trump’s closest allies, and I have never had a meeting where I felt unwelcome,” she said.
Some Republican leaders are critical
Some Republican leaders have been particularly critical of what they see as Canada’s low military spending. House Speaker Mike Johnson has said Canada gets a “nudge” from the U.S. on defense spending, and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell issued a strong statement this summer saying Canada needs to increase investment in its military after years of underinvestment.
Last month, Republican Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz wrote the White House urging tougher security on Canada’s northern border, arguing that Canada’s refugee policies are too lax and risk allowing undocumented people to cross into the United States.
“The possibility of terrorists crossing the U.S.-Canada border is of grave concern,” the senators said in their July 26 letter, suggesting that Palestinian refugees resettled in Canada could cross into the United States.
Hillman said that while such “rhetoric can sometimes be amplified in a pre-election situation,” republicans are generally favorable toward Canada.
