(Washington) It is often heard in foreign policy circles that the world has learned lessons from Donald Trump's first term as President of the United States.
Published at 9:00 am.
James McCarten The Canadian Press
But with the ex-president's looming return to the White House in 2024, could it also be that Mr. Trump and his advisers have left Washington with a better understanding of Canada's relationship with the United States?
“Yes, I think so,” says Kirsten Hillman, Canada’s ambassador to Washington.
First there was the arduous 18-month renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, in which even America's self-appointed chief negotiator long acknowledged that Canada had proven to be a tougher opponent than expected.
But Mr. Trump was also president in early 2020 when COVID-19 began spreading on North American soil, just before it sparked a global crisis that allowed the United States to learn a thing or two about its largest trading partner.
“When we restricted traffic at our border, it took less than a day for people to get through [aux États-Unis] “I fully understand the consequences,” emphasizes Ms. Hillman. They quickly became aware of the amount of leisure and business travel that occurs daily across the Canada-US border and therefore fully appreciated the level of integration and mutual support between our two countries. »
At the start of the pandemic, Mr. Trump quickly imposed restrictions on exports of products such as gloves and surgical masks, but exempted Canada and Mexico.
“ [Les Américains] We understood that we needed them, but that they also needed us,” says Ms. Hillman.
That gave Canada a head start in continuing its outreach efforts with former officials, U.S. lawmakers and others who could play a role in a possible second Donald Trump presidency.
Discussions behind the scenes
These efforts have been underway for some time, confirms Ms. Hillman, who describes a more robust political and transition “apparatus” surrounding Mr. Trump than in 2016.
“All this is being developed quite systematically, much closer to what usually happens with the other candidates and the two parties,” she analyzes.
“This allows us to have access to them, talk to them and understand the policy positions they represent for the possible Trump administration. »
Ms. Hillman's primary role is to ensure that decision-makers in the United States at all levels of government understand how Canada impacts their lives, often in unobtrusive ways.
When speaking to the Trump team, it is “crucial that we bring the Canadian perspective” to countless issues of mutual interest, she explains, citing trade, defense, transportation and agriculture, among others.
Ms. Hillman focused on one example in particular: energy policy.
It's certainly a prevailing theme for a future president who has promised to “drill, drill, drill” from the first day he returns to the West Wing.
“Canada is by far the largest and most secure energy supplier to the United States in all areas of energy production, and we will always be there,” Hillman says of a hypothetical conversation she might have with an American counterpart.
“So as you think about how you want to refine your energy policy, remember that we are essentially working hand in hand with you. »