Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 US elections has sent ripples across the globe, eliciting a spectrum of reactions from world leaders. While some celebrated his return to the White House, others remained cautious in their congratulations, and a few, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, approached the news with a sense of trepidation.
Despite acknowledging their differences, Trudeau extended congratulations to Trump, emphasizing the enduring strength of the US-Canada bond. He expressed optimism about working together for the prosperity and security of both nations. This seemingly cordial gesture, however, masks a history of strained relations marked by disagreements on crucial issues, personal attacks, and policy clashes that have impacted Canada’s economy.
Trump’s previous presidency saw a heated exchange between the two leaders on several fronts. Their trade war, fueled by Trump’s aggressive import tariffs, significantly impacted Canada’s economic landscape. The world’s fourth-largest oil producer found itself particularly vulnerable to Trump’s policies, which included a 10% tariff on all imports and a push for increased US energy production.
Experts and analysts believe that Trump’s second term could further strain Canada’s already struggling economy. Desjardins Economics projects a 1.7% decline in Canada’s real GDP by 2028 due to Trump’s policies, a stark contrast to the expected growth under a Democratic presidency. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce estimates that Trump’s proposed 10% tariff would shrink Canada’s real income by 0.9% annually and decrease labor productivity by nearly 1%. The situation could worsen if other nations retaliate, leading to a trade war that could see real income plummet by 1.5% annually and labor productivity decline by almost 1.6% each year.
The 2018 G7 Summit in Canada ended in acrimony, with Trump abruptly leaving the venue and publicly criticizing Trudeau as ‘weak and very dishonest.’ The source of the rift was a dispute over US-Canada trade negotiations. Trudeau’s statement that Canada would take retaliatory measures against tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada, Mexico, and the European Union (EU) ignited Trump’s ire. The US President-elect even withdrew from the joint declaration and issued a series of tweets lambasting Trudeau.
Adding fuel to the fire, Trump has repeatedly peddled unsubstantiated claims that Trudeau is the son of former Cuban President Fidel Castro. This unfounded allegation, stemming from Trudeau’s mother Margaret’s visit to Cuba where she met Castro, has been levied by Trump on multiple occasions.
Furthermore, a video surfaced in 2019 capturing Trudeau allegedly mocking Trump with other world leaders at the NATO Summit. This incident further aggravated the already strained relationship, with Trump labeling Trudeau a ‘two-faced’ leader. The Republican leader also criticized Canada’s low contribution to the alliance, demanding to know their financial commitment.
Beyond trade and economic policies, Trump and Trudeau have distinct viewpoints on social issues like LGBTQ+ rights and abortion. Trudeau is a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ equality, spearheading progressive policies in Canada. Trump, on the other hand, has a more mixed record on LGBTQ+ issues, with his administration implementing policies that restricted rights, such as the ban on transgender individuals serving in the military.
On abortion, Trudeau is firmly pro-choice, championing a woman’s right to reproductive healthcare services and maintaining Canada’s unwavering support for these rights. Conversely, Trump has aligned himself with conservative, anti-abortion stances, endorsing restrictions and appointing Supreme Court justices whose rulings have contributed to limiting federal abortion rights, including the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
As Trump embarks on his second term, the world watches with bated breath to see how this tumultuous relationship unfolds. Will Trudeau be able to navigate the potential challenges and maintain a strong US-Canada partnership amidst these significant differences? Only time will tell.
