Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, congratulated Republican Donald Trump Wednesday on his U.S. election victory, while stressing trade ties between the two countries. The two leaders are pictured here in at a 2019 NATO roundtable during Mr. Trump’s previous presidency.Frank Augstein/The Associated Press
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday pledged to work with president-elect Donald Trump and underscored the heavy trade reliance the two countries have on each other as he congratulated the Republican for his victory over Democrat Kamala Harris.
Mr. Trump rocked Mr. Trudeau’s first government when his election in 2016 shocked the Liberals, disrupted their governing agenda and plans, and made Canada’s relationship with the U.S. the key issue that the Prime Minister’s Office had to contend with.
Ahead of Tuesday’s election in the U.S., federal cabinet ministers maintained that they were better prepared than they were the first time Mr. Trump was elected. But they also avoided explaining how Canada would respond to major issues like Mr. Trump’s pledge to level a 10-per-cent, across-the-board tariff – which the Canadian Chamber of Commerce believes could cost the Canadian economy around $30-billion a year.
And despite warnings from a key ally of Mr. Trump that Canada’s defence spending plans were not acceptable, Ottawa stood by them ahead of Tuesday’s vote.
U.S. election results live: World leaders congratulate Donald Trump on victory
Mr. Trump’s tariff promise got no mention from the Prime Minister in his early Wednesday statement, instead he highlighted the things that the two countries are aligned on and their long-standing ties.
“We are neighbours and friends, united by a shared history, common values, and steadfast ties between our peoples. We are also each other’s largest trade partners and our economies are deeply intertwined,” he said.
The Prime Minister pointed out that during Mr. Trump’s first term, the two countries successfully renegotiated the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), which has created thousands of good-paying jobs and has brought investment and opportunity to our communities.
“In 2023, trade between Canada and the U.S. amounted to over $1.3 trillion, which means over $3.5 billion worth of goods and services crossed the Canada-U.S. border every single day,” Mr. Trudeau said.
The continental free trade pact that also includes Mexico comes up for renewal in 2026 and the U.S is expected to take aim at Canada’s supply management system for dairy and cheese.
The two leaders sit on opposite ends of the political spectrum and have had a challenging relationship. The two men have had public spats over the years and Mr. Trump is known to harbour a grudge.
All of that was set aside in the Prime Minister’s comments on the former president’s second win.
“We look forward to working with President-elect Trump and his administration, including on issues such as trade, investment, and continental peace and security,” Mr. Trudeau said in the statement.
In an effort to inoculate Canada against Mr. Trump’s protectionist tendencies, Ontario Premier Doug Ford issued a statement congratulating him on his victory and pitching a “‘Buy Can-Am’ mindset” rather than the usual buy-American policies that Canada has become used to from both Republican and Democratic administrations.
“I am optimistic about the opportunities that lie ahead for more trade and co-operation between Ontario and the United States. We have enormous potential to provide the critical minerals needed for electric vehicle batteries and other new technologies and as a safe and secure source for the clean and reliable nuclear energy needed to power America’s economic growth,” Mr. Ford said.
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce, one of Canada’s leading business lobbies, urged the two countries to work together as the trade pact review approaches.
“Canada’s government must collaborate effectively with the Trump administration to preserve and strengthen our bilateral economic partnership,” said Candace Laing, the camber’s president and CEO.
“By resisting tariffs and trade barriers that will only raise prices and hurt consumers in both countries, Canada and the United States can strengthen resilient cross-border supply chains that enhance our shared economic security.”
