With the U.S. presidential election looming, Canadian officials are envisioning new opportunities to collaborate with their southern neighbor on nuclear energy, supply chain security and carbon capture technology, regardless of who wins, new sources say. A government memo released on
Months before Americans headed to the polls, an internal Canadian International Affairs memo stated that the relationship between Canada and the United States “will not only be maintained for years to come, but will continue to expand and deepen, regardless of the outcome of subsequent elections.” ” was the goal. this year. “
The memo, obtained by The Canadian Press through the Access to Information Act, provides insight into a federal strategy to not only survive, but capitalize on, what promises to be a turning point for our closest allies. It is something.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced in January that Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne and Trade Minister Mary Ng will work with Ambassador Kirsten Hillman to Washington on a “Team Canada” approach to promoting and protecting the country’s interests with the United States. announced that it would be carried out.
“We are interested in locking in the progress made since 2020 and are preparing for all possible outcomes,” a briefing note written in late January said.
The report said Canada’s preparedness process will support the involvement of ministers at the federal and provincial levels to establish a broader network of contacts within the United States to ensure “better insight and influence.” . This tactic would include advocating “across the aisle” on Canada’s priorities to raise awareness.
Indeed, Hillman said he, Champagne and Ng visited dozens of governors in late August, as well as mayors, senators, trade officials, business executives and labor groups.
At the time, the outcome of U.S. elections was far from certain.
Since becoming president-elect in November, Donald Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tariff on goods imported into the United States unless Canada does more to strengthen its borders, adding to Canadian politics. It has shaken the cage.
Internal memos show Canadian Foreign Affairs officials were secretly laying international groundwork earlier this year to address a possible Trump victory.
A memo prepared by the department for a late-March meeting on Canada-U.S. relations with Germany’s ambassador to Canada said: “We must remain vigilant when the new administration’s policies affect our interests. We must be ready to respond quickly.”
Officials said they were monitoring areas for potential policy changes, including the U.S. approach to multilateral organizations such as NATO and the Group of Seven, the memo said.
“Through high-level exchanges and our mission network, we engage in advocacy across the U.S. political spectrum to build support for these common interests.”
The memo also raises the notion of whether Germany and France, which championed rules-based institutions and co-founded the Alliance for Multilateralism during the first Trump presidency, will pursue something similar in the future. .
A memo prepared ahead of a May working lunch between Canadian and European Union officials includes issues that may arise under the new U.S. administration, including climate change, NATO, Ukraine, and industrial and trade policy. They expressed interest in collaborating on
“We believe in the importance of a strong, united, and engaged America in the world system,” the memo said.
International affairs officials also prepared questions for Derek Burney, Canada’s ambassador to the United States from 1989 to 1993, ahead of a speech scheduled for staff in May.
Among them: How can Canada strengthen its value as a key ally? What is the next big policy direction for bilateral relations? Is there room for improvement in the trade agreement between Canada, the United States, and Mexico?
Another internal memo noted that the US election was held in an “unprecedented climate of polarization,” given the starkly different visions of the United States held by Republicans and Democrats on a variety of issues.
“Canada is taking a deliberate and proactive path to preparing for a variety of possible election outcomes in the United States,” the undated memo said.
“Regardless of the outcome, this election could also open new opportunities for Canada in the United States, including cooperation on nuclear energy, supply chain security, carbon capture technology, and more.”
Canadian officials also went on to list actions expected from a “Trump 2.0 administration” on immigration, from suspending the U.S. refugee program to building detention facilities to accelerate the pace and amount of deportations. I was combing through American media.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 13, 2024.
