Friday January 3, 2025 | OTTAWA, BC
Political analysis by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May delivered a live media statement in Ottawa this morning regarding US President-elect Donald Trump’s dealings with Canada.
Trump has been ‘joking’ about Canada as a potential “51st state” of the United States, and has taunted Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as perhaps being ‘the next Governor of Canada’.
Before that (quite soon after being elected on November 5, 2024), Trump began his threat of 25% tariffs on Canada.
Canada-bashing:
May highlighted “bizarre Canada-bashing” in her analysis of Trump’s pre-inauguration behaviour. “We don’t strive to be the 51st state… we are a sovereign nation .. full of proud Canadians”.
She said it’s “astonishing” that the incoming president’s first order of business is “Canada-bashing”.
“This is unique. I’ve been thinking back over previous presidents — can’t think of a single US president who has ever thought that a good way to start a relationship with their single-largest trading partner is by insulting us,” said May.
She said that Trump should better understand the Canadian parliamentary system, particularly noting that Canada does not elect a prime minister. Rather, we elect members of parliament (of which the prime minister is one) and that our head of state is actually the British monarch.
“We have to prepare for the president-elect,” whom she notes is just 17 days away from being sworn in. “We’re promised an onslaught of punishments and abuses.”
“There are things we can do to protect our economy and our society. That’s our job,” said May. “We must negotiate from strength.” She emphasized the importance of all the parties working together in this challenge.
Trudeau is back in Ottawa:
This morning Prime Minister Trudeau is meeting with his Cabinet Committee on Canada-US Relations. Perhaps May is hoping to be influencing that in-camera discussion today.
Trudeau did visit in person with Trump in Florida over dinner back on November 29 but as Canada’s prime minister has been mum on any further public comment to Trump, though he did post an old 2010 video about the Canada-US relationship in social media before Christmas break.
This is Trudeau’s first full day back in Ottawa after this Christmas break in Ottawa followed by a family vacation in BC. Trudeau is said to have been reflecting on the challenges within cabinet and caucus and the Liberal Party of Canada about his leadership.
Today Trudeau will be visiting the Embassy of the United States of American in Ottawa to sign the book of condolences for former US President Jimmy Carter.
Trump’s upcoming inauguration:
Trump’s inauguration comes up on January 20, 2024 in Washington, DC. He will be sworn in as the 47th President of the United States. He was also the 45th president (2016-2020).
Chair of the Council of the Federation (Canada’s Premiers) is Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who has gone so far as to threaten cutting off electricity sales to the US if the 25% tariffs are imposed. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has been invited to the inauguration.
===== RELATED:
- Why Trudeau needs to stay and Freeland needs to chill (December 21, 2024)
- Federal cabinet shuffle for stability into the new year (December 20, 2024)
- Canada’s Premiers prioritize Canada-US relations, energy security and improving health care (December 16, 2024)
- Canada’s premiers see action: Trudeau & Trump share national interests over dinner (December 1, 2024)
- Canada’s Premiers discuss border & tariffs with Trudeau (November 27, 2024)
- Trump threatens 25% tariff on Canada and Mexico (November 25, 2024)
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