Back in July 2015, I blogged that Donald Trump could become the next president of the United States. Well, low and behold for all the reasons that I had alluded to back then, he is now the president-elect to the surprise of many. Whether you like it or not, Americans will most probably be stuck with Trump and a Republican controlled congress for the next four years. Indeed, his impact will no doubt be felt in the rest of the world, but in particular in Canada. After all, the U.S. is Canada’s biggest trading partner and political ally. Why is this so important? Here are a few notable reasons based on past statements by Trump himself:
- He plans to revisit the current terms of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Canada and Mexico.
- He intends to increase border security measures, most likely forcing Canada to allocate more resources to the border.
- He will nullify President Obama’s attempt to have greater relations with Cuba, a country with which Canada has long had economic and diplomatic dealings.
- He wants Canada to greatly increase its defence spending, especially as it concerns the country’s contribution to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
- He will most likely support the proposed construction of the Keystone XL pipeline between the Alberta oil sands and the American Gulf Coast, despite continuing environmental fears.
- He does not believe in ‘climate change’, and intends to pull the S. out of the Paris climate agreement which Canada supports through proposed carbon reduction goals.
- Etc., etc., etc.
Just remember, when the elephant below Canada’s southern border sneezes, we catch a cold if not pneumonia! Trump’s unpredictability makes it even more difficult to predict what will happen next year. At no time in U.S.-Canada relations have there ever been such potentially serious tensions and uncertainties. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will have to adjust quickly to the situation in order to maintain normal positive and reciprocal relations with the U.S. administration. On the other side, Americans, especially those living in the northern states along Canada’s border, must make it abundantly clear to Trump that good relations are extremely important to each country. After all we are close friends who live, work and play together on a regular basis. However, like any nation state Canada has every right to defend its interests — be they domestic or international.
FROLITICKS 