Kelly Craft, President Donald Trump’s former ambassador to Canada, said the country could face a more hostile bilateral relationship with the United States if her former boss wins Tuesday’s presidential election. He said it was necessary to prepare for the
Craft said President Trump’s focus on strengthening U.S. manufacturing and increasing defense spending for NATO allies means Canada will need to make some policy changes to protect U.S. benefits. He said that it means that.
“Canada, they need to tighten up and the whole world needs to tighten up as President Trump continues his policies from 2016. We will make America great again and get back to where we were during the Trump presidency. I’m going to bring it back,” Kraft told Radio-Canada.
“Look at the first four years. That’s a good gauge of what’s to come.”
As US election polls teeter on the brink, Canada waits anxiously to see what will happen to the multi-trillion dollar bilateral trade relationship.
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, speaking on the eve of the presidential election, urged Canadians to remember that the United States depends on Canada “in very important ways” and that the federal government He emphasized that he has “absolute confidence” that he can accomplish what he wants in the future. Let’s work with whoever the American people choose.
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland sought to reassure Canadians on Monday that the federal government stands ready to work with whoever wins the presidential election.
“I know that many Canadians are feeling anxious right now, but what I want to say to them is, I want you to feel safe and confident and have confidence in Canada…our We need to remember that our country is strong and that America depends on us in ways that really matter,” Freeland said.
“Remember, our government has great relationships with both Democrats and Republicans, and I have absolute confidence that we can work effectively with whoever the American people elect. I am sure of that.”
Experts agree that another Trump victory would almost certainly reignite trade disputes between Canada and the United States. This is an issue that has been largely dormant for the past four years while President Joe Biden has been in the White House.
Despite some wrangling over the long-standing softwood lumber issue, U.S. tax credits for U.S.-made electric vehicles, and Biden’s first-day decision to revoke the permit for the Keystone XL oil pipeline, the relationship between Canada and Canada has remained strong since Biden took office. US relations are relatively harmonious.
If Trump wins, this situation could come to an abrupt end. His campaign platform once again touts messages about “unfair trade deals” and “blind faith in the siren song of globalism.”
Laura Dawson is a Canada-U.S. relations expert and Executive Director of the Future Borders Coalition.
“Mr. Trump’s victory gives Canadians pause and gives Canadians reason for concern, even though we have a pretty good idea of where the Trump team will go on issues that affect Canada. , none of which are very good,” she said.
President Trump has promised to impose a minimum 10% tariff on all imports, but given that an estimated $3.6 billion in goods cross the border every day, this will cost Canadian businesses and jobs there. This could be a devastating development for workers who are Researchers believe that such tariffs Reduce Canada’s GDP by billions of dollars.
“The word ‘tariff’ used properly is a beautiful word. One of the most beautiful words I’ve ever heard. Music to my ears,” President Trump said at a recent rally in Savannah, Georgia. “I can hear it,” he said, referring to economic policy. .
“If we don’t make products here, we’re going to have to pay tariffs when we send them to the United States,” he said, framing import taxes as a way to make more things. In America.
The Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement is also scheduled to be reviewed in 2026. Craft said he intends to make some changes to the trilateral trade agreement renegotiated by President Trump.
“We’re going to get back into this conflict,” Kraft said, hinting that the U.S. fight could be followed by a fight over auto parts. lost a trade dispute We worked with Canada and Mexico on this issue.
President Trump has also repeatedly criticized Canada’s own protectionism. He decried the supply management system that protects Canada’s dairy, egg and poultry sectors from outside competition as grossly unfair to U.S. farmers.
Canada took a firm stance on this issue during the last trade negotiations, and the Trudeau government recently approved a Bloc Quebecois private member’s bill that exempts these supply management units from all future trade negotiations.
But that doesn’t mean President Trump won’t revive efforts to end supply controls or seek painful concessions elsewhere if Canada doesn’t.
TD Bank said: “In the next round of negotiations, the US is certain to revisit this issue, either by demanding stricter implementation of the current agreement or by calling for a complete abolition of the system.” ” he said. Recent notes to clients About that issue.
With so much uncertainty looming, Canada has been preparing for Trump’s second term as president for months. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has appointed Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne and International Trade Minister Mary Ng as special envoys on Canada-U.S. relations.
The two ministers, along with Canadian Ambassador to the United States Kirsten Hillman, will visit dozens of states and meet with members of Congress from across the political spectrum to remind Americans of Canada’s importance to the United States and to counter protectionism. We’re building some kind of alliance.
Ministers said this “Team Canada” approach, which continually meets with a bipartisan group of U.S. federal, state and local officials, has prepared Canada for any eventuality.
No matter who wins the U.S. presidential election, the federal government will be watching closely to see how the new administration will affect trade between Canada and the U.S., including wide-ranging tariffs if Donald Trump returns to office. .
“This trade relationship is extremely important, with a value of $3 billion per day. Millions of Canadian and American jobs depend on it,” Ng said in an interview Sunday.
In response to a question about President Trump’s trade threats, he added: “We have always stood firm against Canadian businesses and workers, and we will continue to do so.” “Our commitment to protecting Canada and Canadian businesses remains the same.”
While the focus is on what President Trump’s return would mean for Canada, Kamala Harris’ victory could also pose some challenges.
She was just one of 10 U.S. senators who voted against the new NAFTA, saying not enough was being done on climate change. He has also promised to review the agreement if elected.
Beyond trade, Kraft said Trump would also want more help from Canada regarding the ongoing immigration crisis at the U.S. southern border.
He did not say specifically what Trump wants from Canada on the issue, but Trump’s vow to carry out the largest deportation in U.S. history could have repercussions. suggested something.
“We’re going to close the border. They’re going to come through your border,” she said.
At a NATO summit earlier this year, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau vowed to meet spending targets in the defense pact, which Canada has long ignored. Prime Minister Trudeau said Canada will spend 2% of its gross domestic product (GDP) on its military by 2032.
But Kraft says that’s still not enough and expects President Trump to push for more spending on a faster timeline.
He said the 2% GDP target may already be outdated, given that other Western countries have set higher targets as the world faces wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. He said that there is a sex.
“If you keep your house in order, we’ll be the best friends you’ll ever have,” Ms. Kraft said.
