(Washington) It is common to hear in foreign policy circles that the world has learned lessons from Donald Trump's first inauguration as US president.
But with the former president more likely to return to the White House in 2024, Mr. Could Trump and his advisers have left Washington?
“Yes, I think so,” says Kirsten Hillman, Canada's ambassador to Washington.
To begin with, there was the grueling 18-month renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, during which even America's self-proclaimed champion negotiator has long acknowledged that Canada has proven to be a much tougher adversary than expected.
But in early 2020 Mr. Trump was president when Covid-19 began spreading on North American soil, just before it triggered a global crisis, allowing America to learn a thing or two about their largest trading partner.
“When we restricted traffic at our border, it took less than a day for people [aux États-Unis] Fully understand the consequences, M underscoresme Hillman. They quickly became aware of the amount of leisure and business travel that takes place every day along the Canada-US border and, as a result, fully appreciated the level of integration and mutual support between our two countries. »
At the beginning of the epidemic, Mr. Trump quickly imposed restrictions on exports of items such as gloves and surgical masks, but exempted Canada and Mexico.
” [Les Américains] We understand that we need them, but they also need usme Hillman.
It gives Canada a head start as it continues its outreach efforts to former officials, US lawmakers and others who could play a role in a possible second Donald Trump presidency.
Discussions behind the scenes
M confirms that these efforts have been going on for some timeme Hillman, than in 2016, Mr. He describes a very strong political and transition “machine” around Trump.
“It's all built up in a very formal way, very close to what's going on with the other candidates and the two parties in general,” he analysed.
“So it allows us to reach out to them, talk to them, and understand the policy positions they're defending for a potential Trump administration.”
Main responsibility Mme Hillman is about making sure decision makers across America, at all levels of government, understand how Canada touches their lives in peaceful ways.
Speaking to the Trump team, “the key is to bring a Canadian perspective” to a myriad of issues of mutual interest, he explains, citing trade, defense, transportation and agriculture.
Mme Hillman focused on one example in particular: energy policy.
It's sure to be a dominant theme for the incoming president, who has promised “drill, drill, drill” since day one of stepping back into the West.
“Canada is the largest and most secure energy supplier to the United States in all areas of energy production, and we always will be,” said Ms.me Hillman about an imaginary conversation he might have with an American spouse.
“So, when you're thinking about how you're going to refine your energy policies, remember that we're hand-in-hand with you on this. »
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