Donald Trump was elected last week with a very convincing result, taking control of the White House, the Senate and, most likely, the House of Representatives.
Thus, Mr. Trump has all the legitimacy necessary to move forward with his priorities and his electoral commitments. And we have clearly seen, in recent days, that the American president is wasting no time in appointing his close collaborators to key positions within his administration.
For our part, Quebec and Canadian politicians must also work hard, because the coming months are likely to prove tumultuous.
Fear
Mr. Trump will not hesitate to attack our supply-managed producers, our steel and aluminum producers, and the border is likely to come under strain.
For the past week, some politicians have expressed great concern following Trump’s election.
Yes, there may be significant consequences linked to his decisions on the other side of the border, but we cannot, for our part, sit idly by.
For example, it is obvious that Mr. Trump will use the threat of tariffs on our goods and services as part of the review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement.
It is therefore imperative to go on the ground, to the states that import our products, to demonstrate to them the importance of keeping our borders open.
Two months
Over the next two months, our politicians need to talk to the Americans because they are best placed to put pressure on Donald Trump.
This strategy worked during Mr. Trump’s first term, so it should pay off again.
But our politicians will have to run faster than Donald Trump, because to see him in recent days, he seems to have put his foot down.
