Justin Trudeau believes that Trump winning the 2024 US presidential election would make life tough for Canada and would be a ‘step back’ in relations between the North American neighbors.
The Canadian Prime Minsiter had a rocky relationship with Trump during his first term, and says he believes a re-election would be a ‘step back’ that ‘won’t be easy’ for his country.
Trump accused Trudeau of being ‘weak and ‘dishonest’ back in 2018
And it has sparked nerves from Trudueau.
‘It wasn’t easy the first time and if there is a second time, it won’t be easy either,’ Trudeau said in French during a discussion hosted by the Montreal chamber of commerce.
He added: ‘But we can’t imagine a day when it will ever be easy with the Americans. The main responsibility for any prime minister is to represent and defend Canada’s interests … we’ve been able to do this very well these past few years.
‘Do they want to be a nation that is optimistic and committed to the future? Or will they choose a step backwards, nostalgia for a time that never existed, a populism that reflects a lot the anxiety and fury that people are going through without necessarily offering solutions.
‘It’s always a big challenge to work with any American president, even those like Barack and Joe, with whom I have a lot in common.’
Canada sends 75 per cent of its goods and services exports to the United States and is particularly vulnerable to any U.S. shift toward protectionism.