Canada’s ambassador to the United States says Ottawa needs to take concrete steps to prepare for the outcome of this fall’s pivotal presidential election, which could see Donald Trump return to power.
Kirsten Hillman emphasized the importance of the United States as Canada’s closest economic partner and ally in an interview with CBC News on Saturday ahead of a Canadian ministerial gathering in Montreal where she will brief ministers. Considering this, he said, the country needs to be prepared.
“Whenever we approach a critical moment for the United States, we make sure we understand the situation and do everything we can to position Canada in the best possible way for either a shift or a realignment.” “We have to make sure we’re changing direction,” she said.
The US presidential election is increasingly likely to be a rematch of the 2020 vote. President Joe Biden is running for re-election and is leading the Democratic ticket along with Vice President Kamala Harris. Donald Trump has maintained an early lead in winning the Republican nomination.
Joe Biden will effectively make his first campaign stop of 2024 on the eve of the third anniversary of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. He said American democracy itself is at stake in the 2024 election.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed the possibility of a second term for President Trump earlier this week.
“It wasn’t easy the first time, and it won’t be easy the second time,” he said in French.
Trade conflict with President Trump
Prime Minister Trudeau’s Canadian government has repeatedly clashed with the Trump administration, with renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement a key focus.
“A very important step is to make sure that we have all the relationships, or as many relationships as we can, with the people who are advising the second Trump administration, the people who are around him. “It’s not just about the whole country, it’s about the whole country,” she said.
After Donald Trump’s overwhelming victory in the Iowa caucuses, the next Republican primary is scheduled to be held in New Hampshire, with Nikki Haley focusing her efforts in New Hampshire and Ron DeSantis in Haley’s hometown. The focus is on South Carolina.
“It’s important to make sure those relationships are refreshed.”
Hillman said work is already underway and Canada’s approach to gathering support must be “deliberate and systematic.”
In a separate interview on CBC Radio’s Saturday broadcast. the houseLaura Dawson, a Canada-U.S. relations expert and executive director of the Future Borders Coalition, endorsed the strategy as an important step toward holding Canada back against President Trump.
the house11:46How Trump 2.0 will shake up Canada
Donald Trump won a landslide victory in the Iowa caucuses this week, bringing his chances of becoming president a second time closer to reality. What does that mean for Canada’s trade, security and politics? Rob Goodman, author of Not Here, Why American Democracy Is Erading and How Canada Can Protect Itself, and CEO of the Future Borders Coalition. Executive Director and trade expert Laura Dawson talks about how Canada can prepare for a potential Trump second term.
“This kind of cross-border charm offensive is absolutely necessary and will work in either situation, whether it’s President Biden or President Trump,” she told host Katherine Cullen.
“We have to take our families on trips,” she said.
Trade will likely be the first point of conflict between Canada and a future Trump administration. The Republican nominee has pledged to impose a flat 10% tariff on all goods imported into the United States, including imports from Canada.
It also mandates a review of the revised North American Free Trade Agreement, which should begin in 2026.
Hillman noted that Canada must undertake that review after this fall, regardless of which party holds power in the White House.
He said the current trade agreement is beneficial for Canada. “Our view is that it’s working very well. That doesn’t mean that some interpretations haven’t been offered based on dispute resolution, but that’s exactly what dispute resolution is for.”
Hillman said trade will inevitably become a point of friction between Canada and the United States, and Ottawa needs to be prepared for continued discussions with the U.S. government.
But she pointed to increased trade between Canada, Mexico and the United States as a sign that the deal is delivering on its promises.
“I think that’s great and a success story.”
