Asked by CBC’s Rosemary Barton this week about the prospects for Donald Trump’s return to the White House, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that no American administration (Trudeau has currently worked with three presidents) would come to Canada. Initially, he refuted the fact that it was posing challenges.
He said that during Trump’s presidency from 2016 to 2020, the Liberal government made several “nuisances,” including a threat to “ruin” the North American Free Trade Agreement and a “desire to roll back climate change.” “We were able to overcome a very difficult problem.” It “was a threat not only to Canada but to the world.”
But Trudeau later allowed himself to come forward and acknowledged there was cause for concern.
“Yes, at a time when it is so important that energy workers, miners, forestry workers across this country, manufacturing industries across this country continue to protect and build the economy of the future, especially when it comes to the environment. “There are concerns. It is important that we succeed as we move towards reducing emissions,” he said.
“If President Trump returns to fighting climate change, it will slow global progress in ways that concern me.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says a second term for President Donald Trump could slow the world’s progress on climate change in “concerning” ways in a year-end interview with CBC’s chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton. said.
During President Trump’s four years in the White House, Trudeau’s Liberals tended to be very selective in their public comments about the words, actions, and tweets of the U.S. president, perhaps Canada’s largest trading partner. Perhaps in hopes of avoiding conflict with the leaders of the most important countries. Allies.
If Canada’s prime minister comments on the potential impact of the presidential election, he risks being accused of undiplomatically intervening in the internal affairs of the United States. When President Trump announced his intention to run again last November, Canadian officials told CBC News they would not comment.
But there’s also no denying that next year’s U.S. vote could have a profound impact on the world, especially in the fight against climate change.
When Trump left Paris
Prime Minister Trudeau carefully chose his position to comment on presidential policy from 2016 to 2020. One of these was international climate change action.
When President Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris climate accord in 2017, Prime Minister Trudeau said, “This is who I am.”deeply disappointed“Depends on the decision. A few days later, the Liberal Party Celebrate World Environment Day With new vitality.
“If the U.S. government backs down on climate action, Canada will go further and do more,” said then-federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna.
The Liberal Party also promised to: Work with American governors and mayors About actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (Canada began pursuing its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement even before the United States formally withdrew from it) Climate change discussions with the European Union and China. )
Perhaps no country can claim that its emissions are a purely domestic problem. This is especially true for a country of the substantial size and potential influence of the United States.
President Trump has shown no interest in doing anything about climate change since leaving the White House.
he has mistakenly downplayed the threat posed by climate change and he says he will cancel the promise to America Help developing countries reduce emissions and adapt to the effects of climate change.Officials involved in his campaign told the Financial Times In November, it said it would aim to scale back investment in clean energy and scrap regulations aimed at reducing emissions.
A former Trump adviser told the Times that it is “almost certain” that Trump will withdraw from the Paris climate accord again.And there is a possibility that American troops will withdraw. give other countries an excuse to do the same — or at least to have less to do.
The shadow reflected in climate change negotiations
It is therefore no surprise that President Trump may return to power. cast the pole Regarding the COP climate conference held in Dubai earlier this month.
“I’ve heard a lot of people say, ‘We may never be in a better place in the United States than we are right now. So let’s come to terms with this administration as much as we can, because no one knows what it’s going to be like next year.’ We will find ourselves,” said Environment Minister Stephen Guilbeault. told the Washington Post. “A lot of people are very aware of it and feel sensitive to it.”
President Trump’s victory does not necessarily mean defeat in the fight against climate change. Some of the things that have gained particular international momentum in recent years are: Subsidies under the Inflation Control Actpassed by the U.S. Congress last year, may be difficult for even the U.S. president to completely stall or reverse.
Investments are being made, private capital is moving, and consumers are making choices.Further US withdrawal could lead to new situations Opportunity for China to take the lead in combating climate change.
But every step forward or backward is important if we are to reduce global emissions as quickly as possible.
