Trudeau Says Cabinet Using ‘Team Canada’ Approach to Prepare for US Elections

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at a press conference in Saint John, N.B., on Jan. 17, 2024. The Canadian Press/Michael Hawkins

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his government will be taking a “team Canada approach” in preparation for another potential Donald Trump presidency, adding that each U.S. president comes with its own challenges.

“We know there’s always challenges whenever there’s an American election. But as we have before, we’re going to be ready to deal with whatever gets tossed at us and make sure we’re defending Canadians interests and opportunities in the strong relationship,” Mr. Trudeau told reporters on Jan. 23 from the Liberal cabinet retreat in Montreal.

The prime minister added that Trade Minister Mary Ngo and Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne would be leading the team to work with businesses, entrepreneurs, and civil society groups to “make sure that we’re ready to continue to benefit as Canadians from a strong relationship with the United States.”

Mr. Trudeau also said his approach to dealing with a potential Trump presidency would involve demonstrating that “what is good for Canada is also good for the United States and vice versa.” The prime minister said while the three American presidents he has dealt with had different approaches, Canada’s strategy had always been “standing up for Canadian values and Canadian interests, looking for win-win situations, and demonstrating that we can and will continue to work together to create prosperity right across the continent.”

A day earlier, Mr. Champagne told reporters that the Liberals had experience dealing with a Republican administration, as they renegotiated the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and made progress further integrating its supply chains with the United States. “[That’s] millions of jobs, and one thing that I think President former President Trump will understand is jobs,” he added.

The Liberal cabinet’s latest retreat in Montreal has focused on domestic issues like the cost of living, building more homes, and improving the health-care system. Cabinet has also spent time discussing “Canada’s relationship with the United States ahead of this fall’s presidential election,” according to a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump looks likely to become the next Republican leader following his victory in the first Republican primary in Iowa. Following Mr. Trump’s win by a large margin, competitors Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy dropped out of the race and endorsed Mr. Trump.

According to the most recent polls, Mr. Trump maintains a sizable lead in the polls over his lone rival Nikki Haley, who was formerly the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and governor of South Carolina. The former president also leads current President Joe Biden by 5 points in a head-to-head matchup.

On Jan. 16, Mr. Trudeau said the first Trump presidency was not easy for Canada, “and if there is a second time, it won’t be easy either.” He added that Mr. Trump’s re-election would be a “step back.”

Mr. Trump had protectionist tendencies during his time in office, calling NAFTA the “worst trade deal ever made” and then renegotiating it with Canada and Mexico. The restructured deal resulted in Canada making some economic concessions, such as capping its automotive exports to the United States and expanding access to its highly protected dairy markets.