Ottawa must understand that protectionism is welcomed by the Americans, says Ambassador Kirsten Hillman. Rather than criticizing it, we must try to convince the White House that protectionist measures against Canada would have deleterious effects on the United States economy.
It doesn’t create jobs, it eliminates jobs; it doesn’t create efficiency, it makes things more expensive
says Kirsten Hillman in an interview on the show Behind the scenes of power. The Canadian ambassador hammered this message to each close friend of Donald Trump that she encountered during her numerous trips in recent months.
A policy of protectionism which says: “If we do not bring in these products, we will create jobs here in the United States”, it is a policy which is quite understandable towards the voters […]. It’s been popular for years.
During his election campaign, Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs of 10% on all imported products destined for the United States. He raised the idea that he could implement these measures as soon as he arrives at the White House.
On this side of the border, this risk is enough to make one dizzy. In a report from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce released last month, economists said they believed such a measure would have considerable negative effects on the economy. Some experts even believe it could cause a recession.
Faced with this threat, Ambassador Hillman wants to be reassuring and thinks that we must first and foremost rely on facts.
She points out that since the implementation of the last Canada-United States-Mexico free trade agreement (CUSMA) in 2018, almost all customs duties between the two countries have been eliminated and trade has increased. reached historic levels.
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The new Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) was signed in 2018 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, by the President of Mexico, Enrique Pena Nieto (left), the President of the United States, Donald Trump (at center), and the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau (right). (Archive photo)
Photo : AFP/Getty Images / Saul Loeb
In 2023, nearly 77% of Canadian exports went to the United States. The value of trade between Canada and its southern neighbor reached $1.3 trillion that same year.
We have a lot to contribute to a Trump government because he is very interested in the economy
explique Kirsten Hillman. It’s a real, concrete question, which shows that customs tariffs between our two countries do not lead to the results they are trying to achieve.
adds the Canadian diplomat, stationed in Washington since 2017 and ambassador since 2020.
According to Ms. Hillman, the work of persuasion and detailed discussions
is not being played out in Washington or New York but on the ground where Canadian companies are creating jobs, such as in Texas, South Carolina and West Virginia.
We need to enter these communities and show them how this very open relationship with Canada leads to good economic results.
If she wants to be reassuring in the face of the threat of customs duties and says she is convinced that Canada is better placed than anyone
to defend herself, Ambassador Hillman admits that she does not have the answers to everything.
What does this mean and how will it play out? We don’t know yet. This can happen in a very positive way or […] that [peut être] a little tense for a moment. We’ll see.
The Americans – and Mr. Trump in particular – respect countries that respect each other, and we are a strong and confident country, and we must demonstrate it
added Ms. Hillman.
A review of the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement is planned for June 2026. Donald Trump promised to take advantage of the opportunity to defend the interests of the Americans. This prospect worries the Canadian business community.
According to Ambassador Hillman, the work between the three countries will begin with a review of what works and what does not. We should not be afraid of a conversation with the Americans about trade between our two countries.
For Canada, our economy has a huge relationship and a huge benefit from having this trade with the United States, so if we really want to ensure that this continues, we must have a discussion with them whenever they want it.
Ms. Hillman also participated in the first call between Justin Trudeau and the president-elect on Wednesday. The two men discussed the free trade agreement and the tariffs imposed by Canada and the United States on Chinese electric vehicles.
A question of respect
Regarding the personal relationship between Donald Trump and Justin Trudeau, the ambassador is clear: despite Donald Trump’s sometimes incendiary remarks against the Prime Minister, the two leaders get along well.
In 2018, after a G7 meeting, Donald Trump called Justin Trudeau on Twitter a weak and dishonest leader
. In 2020, he openly criticized the Trudeau government’s management of the pandemic, which he described as tyranny woke
.
[Donald Trump] can say provocative things, but you have to be careful what he does […]. I have been with Mr. Trump and Mr. Trudeau on several occasions and I can tell Canadians and Quebecers that they have a very good relationship. It’s frank and it’s clear: they’re talking about the common goal.
There is respect, there is openness. They talk really frankly with each other
she adds.
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