As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau continues the “Team Canada” charm offensive with U.S. lawmakers and business leaders, Canada’s ambassador to the United States downplayed the impact of another Trump presidency on Canada.
“Mr. Trump doesn’t worry us. We were able to work with him effectively,” Kristen Hillman told reporters at the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) conference in Philadelphia.
Hillman pointed to Canada’s ability to successfully renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (CUSMA). The trade agreement between Canada, Mexico and the United States came into force on July 1, 2020, after many rounds of negotiations.
As part of his most recent election campaign, Trump promised to introduce a 10 percent import tariff on goods from around the world if he were elected in November.
Still, Hillman said, Canada’s efforts to reach out to American politicians at the state and local levels have been successful and have underscored the importance of Canada-U.S. relations.
“We are constantly working to ensure that the elected officials who make policy in the communities they represent understand at a very granular level how powerful the relationship with Canada is for them,” Hillman told reporters.
The comments came ahead of a speech Trudeau will give to thousands of SEIU delegates. Trudeau’s pitch is expected to highlight Canada’s case for continued cooperation regardless of who occupies the Oval Office.
There’s more to come.
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