Donald Trump calls Justin Trudeau “governor of the great state of Canada”, suggesting that Canada has become the 51ste American state. A prank? A prank that makes Ottawa laugh. Rightly so, this is a contemptuous affront. An affront to Canada? Or to Justin Trudeau? To have…
However, the invitation to dinner at Mar-a-Lago seemed like a blessing for Mr. Trudeau. A few days after Trump’s threats, Canadians could sleep more peacefully seeing their prime minister benefit from direct access to the president-elect.
Mr. Trudeau at the main table, Trump serving “his mother’s” meatloaf, the photos with a smile, everything was nice in what we knew of that evening. Trump will never be an easy partner, but the impression of a positive interpersonal relationship could be reassuring.
Above all, this scenario suggested that, despite obvious differences of views, Donald Trump respected Justin Trudeau. Respect is where the problem lies now. Donald Trump’s latest publication, even accepting its humorous nature, demonstrates a lack of respect for Justin Trudeau and also for Canada.
Humiliation
I would dare to speak of a public humiliation for Justin Trudeau. What do you want him to answer? If he takes it as a prank he looks weak, if he takes it seriously he looks crazy. And how does Justin Trudeau look on a global scale to be labeled as governor of an American state?
For any other leader, it would be considered a serious diplomatic offense to degrade their neighbor in this way. This could even be treated as a political desire to annex or invade the neighbor from a military point of view. In Trump’s case, there is character. Words are no longer words. Verbal puffery is part of the decor. We wonder what he really means.
The certainty is that it is no longer just about light humor. A joke about Canada like 51e State in a Thanksgiving supper could pass. A lot of things are said around a table, especially in a good mood. But coming back to that in a written message targeting the Prime Minister, ten days later, is something else.
Balance of power
Far be it from me to claim that Donald Trump is really concocting a plan to annex Canada. What he does is play the intimidation game to the hilt to get what he wants. Threats and intimidation are the keys to his success in business, a recipe that he likes to apply to politics.
It’s still stunning to imagine such a lack of respect for a neighboring country that has been an economic, military and political ally of the United States for more than a century. This arrogance from Donald Trump must at least provoke a single-voice reaction. It’s not just Justin Trudeau who is humiliated.
