washington –
Donald Trump’s second administration is filling up with his most loyal supporters, many of whom have held top jobs and criticized Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Canada’s border security.
One expert says there aren’t many Canadian allies on the president-elect’s court so far.
“We don’t have many Canadian friends on the ground,” said Fenn Hampson, a professor of international affairs at Carleton University in Ottawa and co-chair of the Canada-U.S. Relations Expert Group.
As Republican leaders begin to make important decisions about their administration, foreign policy and border designations are sending signals to Canada and the rest of the world about America’s path forward.
President Trump has advocated imposing a uniform import tariff of at least 10%. According to a report by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, this would shrink Canada’s economy and incur an annual economic cost of about $30 billion.
The president-elect has also been critical of giving aid to Ukraine in its war against Russian aggression and attacked the United Nations, both of which Canada’s Liberal government strongly supports.
Amid heightened geopolitical instability, President Trump has selected Mike Walz as national security adviser, saying in a statement Tuesday that Walz will be a “great champion in the pursuit of peace through force.” “Yes!” he said.
Walz, a three-term congressman from Florida, has repeatedly criticized Trudeau on social media, particularly over his handling of China-related issues.
He also recently mentioned Canada’s looming election, saying that Conservative leader Pierre Poièvre intends to “send Prime Minister Trudeau in 2025” and “start digging Canada out of the progressive mess it is in.” Posted on X.
Like Trump, Walz has criticized NATO members for not meeting their defense spending targets, something Canada has not done and will not do for years.
Prime Minister Trudeau has pledged to reach a goal of spending 2% of gross domestic product (GDP) on defense by 2032.
Immigration and border security have been key focuses for Republicans during the election, with many key appointees looking north.
Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, a vocal critic of China, is reportedly expected to be appointed secretary of state.
Rubio pointed to concerns at the Canada-U.S. border. He recently slammed Canada’s move to take in Palestinian refugees, claiming that “terrorists and known criminals continue to flow across our borders, including into Canada.”
Elise Stefanik, the New York congresswoman chosen by President Trump to be ambassador to the United Nations, is also focused on the Canadian border.
As a member of the Northern Border Patrol Congressional Caucus, Stefanik called on the Department of Homeland Security to increase border security, arguing that human and drug trafficking is on the rise.
“We must protect our children from dangerous illegal immigrants flooding across our northern border in record numbers,” she wrote on X last month.
Stefanik has little foreign policy experience, but Trump described her as a “smart America First warrior.” She has repeatedly criticized the United Nations, saying its criticism of Israel’s air strikes on Gaza is anti-Semitic.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, a longtime supporter of President Trump, has been selected as Secretary of Homeland Security, according to US media reports. She was considered as a vice presidential candidate until controversy erupted over an anecdote in her book about shooting a dog.
“She doesn’t seem to have very warm feelings toward (Canada),” Hampson said.
Last year, she claimed she was in talks with Canadian family-owned businesses considering moving to the province due to restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
But Noem also said the Canada-U.S.-Mexico deal negotiated under the first Trump administration was a “huge victory.”
The trilateral agreement is scheduled to be reviewed in 2026.
Robert Lighthizer, President Trump’s former trade representative, is an informal advisor to the president-elect during the transition, and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said he remains in contact.
Hampson has been noted by analysts as an option for multiple jobs in the second Trump administration, including returning to the role as trade representative, but Hampson said he is unlikely to return to the role.
Hampson said there are still big questions about how broad the tariffs could be and whether there will be carve-outs for industries such as energy. President Trump and his team may also threaten tariffs over future trade negotiations.
“Is he going to impose tariffs on us on day one or right after that?” Hampson asked.
Some experts are urging Canada to remain calm and focus on opportunity, not fear. Others seek bold action and creative thinking.
Canada reinstated the Cabinet Committee on Canada-U.S. Relations just over 24 hours after Trump’s victory was confirmed.
Trudeau said Tuesday in Fredericton that Canada was successful in negotiating trilateral trade agreements under the first president, Trump, by demonstrating alignment between the country’s interests and the economy.
“That’s going to continue,” he said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 13, 2024.
