Close X
Thursday, November 7, 2024
ADVT 
National

Preparation for next U.S. president started months ago, Trudeau's cabinet says

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 05 Nov, 2024 10:58 AM
  • Preparation for next U.S. president started months ago, Trudeau's cabinet says

The Canadian government is in a better position to manage trade negotiations with the next American president than it was the last time it signed a deal with the U.S. and Mexico, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said as Americans headed to the polls Tuesday.

U.S. voters are choosing between starkly different visions of their country's future with either former president Donald Trump or Vice-President Kamala Harris. Whoever wins the White House this year will be in charge when the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement is reviewed in 2026. 

The "Team Canada" approach the Liberal government launched when negotiating with the first Trump administration is already back in play, and Joly said the government is ready to work with premiers, mayors, the business sector and unions to look out for Canadian interests.

Joly also said she's been speaking with other foreign ministers and world leaders about how to work with the next president. 

"So we have an approach that is very broad and we are very unique in the world. We have the strongest and, I think, most important relationship as a country with the U.S.," Joly said. 

While they'll be watching the election results closely, several cabinet ministers who are expected to be involved in upcoming trade talks say they've been laying the groundwork for months.

Trump and Harris have both campaigned on protectionist policies, which could pose a major threat to Canada's economy.

Trump's pledge to bring in a 10 per cent across-the-board tariff — something the Canadian Chamber of Commerce believes could cost the Canadian economy around $30 billion per year.

Innovation Minister François-Philippe Champagne said the goal over the last several months has been to define Canada as a critical and strategic partner, particularly on economic security, as opposed to just a friendly neighbour to the north. 

"The focus of our friends in the United States is national security. National security and economic security are one. I think there is a better understanding today that the strategic relationship that we have is serving North America's national security," Champagne said. 

The two presidential candidates differ significantly on their approach to security, in particular when it comes to the NATO alliance. 

Trump has been highly critical of NATO allies — particularly those, like Canada, that are not meeting the agreed-upon spending target — accusing them of failing to pull their weight and calling the alliance "obsolete."

Canada does not plan to reach the target of spending two per cent of GDP on defence until at least 2032. 

Meanwhile, Harris has said her administration would uphold mutual defence pacts and continue steadfast support for Ukraine. 

Defence Minister Bill Blair said he believes either administration will recognize the work Canada is doing to boost defence spending.

"It takes time to build new battleships, it takes time to build the new submarines we're going to require, and deliver the airplanes we need," Blair said on his way into Tuesday's cabinet meeting.

"I have great confidence in the institutions of the United States, including our relationship with the State Department and their military."

Joly said Trudeau's government now has a well of experience to draw on after dealing with three different U.S. administrations over the last decade. 

The government has also built relationships with both Republicans and Democrats in preparation for whoever takes over the White House.

Irregular border crossing may once again become an issue for Canada with Trump promising to launch the biggest deportation effort in American history, pledging to send upwards of 10 million migrants back to their home countries.  

Policies in the first Trump administration contributed to more than 113,000 migrants entering Quebec from the U.S. at Roxham Road. That unofficial crossing was closed last year.  

Immigration Minister Marc Miller said he wishes both candidates luck, and noted that a secure, stable border is in both country's interest.  

"We've always been able to manage the border with the U.S., and particularly during COVID. Particularly with attempts to put the military on the border, close it, do all sorts of things that didn't make sense," Miller said.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Man sentenced for multiple break-ins over a year

Man sentenced for multiple break-ins over a year
Police say a 44-year-old man has been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison for committing multiple break-ins in a six-month period between 2022 and 2023. Burnaby R-C-M-P say the man had been targetting high-end homes under construction.

Man sentenced for multiple break-ins over a year

Identity of man killed in Langley shooting released

Identity of man killed in Langley shooting released
Homicide detectives are releasing the identity of a man killed in a shooting in Langley over the weekend in hopes of advancing the investigation. Police say Johnathan Hebrada-Walters of Edmonton was known to police, and initial investigation indicates he was the victim of a targeted shooting.

Identity of man killed in Langley shooting released

HandyDART strike in Metro Vancouver ending as workers ratify new deal with TransDev

HandyDART strike in Metro Vancouver ending as workers ratify new deal with TransDev
Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724 voted Monday to ratify the deal, giving workers a "significant" wage increase, that the union says would address the staffing shortages.  TransDev says it's pleased the three-week strike is coming to an end.

HandyDART strike in Metro Vancouver ending as workers ratify new deal with TransDev

Trudeau meets with Haiti's acting prime minister, calls for humanitarian help

Trudeau meets with Haiti's acting prime minister, calls for humanitarian help
Justin Trudeau will turn his focus to the ongoing crises in Haiti as he speaks with some world leaders Monday ahead of the 78th meeting of the United Nations General Assembly. The prime minister met with the Caribbean country's acting prime minister, Garry Conille, on Monday morning before delivering remarks at a high-level meeting for a UN advisory group for Haiti.

Trudeau meets with Haiti's acting prime minister, calls for humanitarian help

Nanaimo RCMP need public's help in cracking down on dangerous driving

Nanaimo RCMP need public's help in cracking down on dangerous driving
Mounties in Nanaimo are asking for the public's help in cracking down on motorcycle riders operating dangerously in the Vancouver Island city. R-C-M-P say they have received numerous reports of riders performing wheelies, driving on the wrong side of the road and driving on sidewalks at high speeds -- and many of the stunts have been filmed, with videos posted to social media.

Nanaimo RCMP need public's help in cracking down on dangerous driving

What To Expect At The 2024 Darpan Awards

What To Expect At The 2024 Darpan Awards
It’s the final countdown for one of the most awaited nights of the year for the South Asian community in Canada—the 2024 DARPAN Extraordinary Achievement Awards, proudly presented by RBC. This year, the celebration is even more special as DARPAN Magazine marks a spectacular 20 years of bringing forth the stories, successes and contributions of incredible South Asians across the world.

What To Expect At The 2024 Darpan Awards