The good news about Donald Trump’s first day as the 47th president of the United States on Monday is what he didn’t say about Canada.
He did not issue an executive order imposing an immediate, 25% tariff on all Canadian products coming into the U.S., as he had threatened to do.
While criticizing what he described as unfair trade practices by foreign nations, he did not single out Canada by name.
Nor did he declare a national security emergency at America’s northern border with Canada, as he did at its southern border with Mexico.
He did not muse about making Canada America’s 51st state.
In fact, he didn’t mention Canada in his inaugural speech as president.
As reported by The Wall Street Journal, Trump did direct U.S. federal agencies to investigate and remedy alleged persistent trade deficits and unfair trade policies by China, Canada, Mexico and other countries. He also directed them to report on the status of the 2019 Canada, U.S., and Mexico free trade agreement (CUSMA) that comes up for renegotiation next year.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau congratulated Trump on his inauguration, tweeting on ‘X’ that,
“Canada and the U.S. have the world’s most successful economic partnership. We have the chance to work together again — to create more jobs and prosperity for both our nations.”
Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc told CBC News he was cautiously optimistic about Trump’s apparent decision to study the Canada-U.S. trading relationship further, although the government must prepare for all possibilities.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford remained highly critical of Trump, telling CityNews: “He’s just adding more uncertainty, (saying) ‘I may not do it today, I’ll do it tomorrow. Maybe I’ll do it in a month.’ That doesn’t help.”
It’s true Trump could reignite the possibility of a trade war with one post on Truth Social.
But it also now appears we will have more time to make the case that the U.S.-Canada trading relationship benefits both of our countries.
We suggest our federal and provincial leaders tone down their anti-Trump rhetoric, stop vilifying Alberta Premier Danielle Smith for defending her province’s oil and gas interests and focus on convincing the Trump administration that the Canada-U.S. trading relationship is worth preserving.