The inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday was not just something that happened south of the border 鈥� it holds huge implications for Canada and the rest of the world. This isn鈥檛 a time for panic, but there is plenty of reason for caution and concern.
Despite the rancour of the election campaign, Trump took office through a legitimate, peaceful transfer of power 鈥� the essence of democracy. Even those who opposed him 鈥� both individuals and nations 鈥� must accept and work with the new leader.
How to do that is the big question. Trump is unpredictable, whimsical and wilfully ignorant of the nuances of government and diplomacy. He has promised many things and threatened many things, but because he has promised something doesn鈥檛 necessarily mean it will come to pass.
And while he now occupies the most powerful office in the world, there are legislative limits to that power.
Trump鈥檚 inaugural speech signals that he intends to take the U.S. firmly in a protectionist direction that puts American interests above all else.
鈥淔rom this day forward, it鈥檚 America first,鈥� said Trump. 鈥淓very decision on trade, on taxes, on immigration, on foreign affairs will be made to benefit American workers and American families.
鈥淲e will follow two simple rules 鈥� buy American and hire American.鈥�
That is likely music to the ears of millions of Americans who have seen industries disappear and regional economies stagnate with the loss of jobs and manufacturing to other countries. But it has an ominous ring for 91原创 industries and businesses that depend on trade with the U.S.
And it has already started. The inauguration was barely over when the Trump administration announced the U.S. would withdraw from the Trans-91原创 Partnership and begin the process of renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement. It said it would ensure 鈥渁ny new trade deals are in the interests of the American workers.鈥�
Word is that Trump is favourably inclined toward Canada, and members of the Trudeau government have had positive interactions with Trump鈥檚 transition team. Nevertheless, as Trump takes on China, Mexico, Germany and other countries, Canada could easily become collateral damage. Those in charge of our international trade must be firm but cautious.
鈥淲e must speak our minds openly, debate our disagreements honestly, but always pursue solidarity,鈥� Trump said in his inaugural speech. We hope he will follow those fine words with similarly fine actions, but his is a country more deeply divided than at any time since the Civil War. He described his election 鈥渁s a historic movement, the likes of which the world has never seen before,鈥� yet more people voted for Hillary Clinton than for him.
Whatever happens with trade, let us be sure we do not import that deeply divisive brand of politics in Canada.
Emboldened by Trump鈥檚 regressive comments, the conspiracy theorists, the racists, the hatemongers and the misogynists are already becoming more vocal and public. Let鈥檚 not make room for such darkness in Canada.
But let鈥檚 also remember that Trump rode to power on a wave of dissatisfaction with the establishment and the elite. It鈥檚 a lesson 91原创 politicians should heed 鈥� many who supported Trump did so out of legitimate fears and concerns. They perceived, with considerable justification, that their political system was becoming increasingly out of touch with the people.
We hope Trump will learn as he goes, and will temper his words and actions as the realities of government settle upon him. We hope, for the sake of our American neighbours, that he becomes a responsible, effective president.
