In Quebec, astonishment gives way to concern

Last Tuesday evening, we invited some friends over to listen to the results of the American elections. It was without knowing whether we were going to rejoice or whether we should fear the worst. It is true that over the last few weeks, optimism had given way to suppressed concern in the face of the ambivalence of the polls. But we remained confident, incredulous at the idea that Donald Trump could make a return to the White House.

In Quebec, the vast majority of the population supported Kamala Harris: we simply do not understand how a candidate as disrespectful of people and institutions as Donald Trump could win the favor of a majority of Americans. By meeting the meager 12% of Quebecers who support him, we understand however that his outrageous comments about women and immigrants do not shake allegiances. For them, Donald Trump embodies conservative values ​​to which they adhere, and his combative profile convinces them of his ability to carry out the promised reforms, however radical they may be.

But as economics journalist Gérald Fillion analyzes, the victory of the Republican candidate is perhaps explained more by the inflation that has hit Americans over the last four years. The protectionist discourse seems to have convinced a majority of voters that Trump will be more successful than the Democratic Party in lowering the cost of their housing and their grocery basket.

However, according to several specialists, it is not certain that Donald Trump's economic program will prove beneficial in the medium term; and above all it will have significant repercussions on the global economy, and on the Canadian economy in particular. In Quebec, nearly 75% of exports are destined for the United States; the announced tariff policies could therefore harm many industries, whether lumber or aluminum.

However, the impact on the economy is certainly not Donald Trump's most dangerous legacy. As jurist Pierre Trudel notes, by electing a president who flouts judges and the judicial system, who violates the laws and encourages insurrectional gestures, it is the principle of the rule of law that the Americans rejected on November 5 last.

This is why, as we left last Tuesday, we cried to see this American dream, which we had perhaps all denounced one day or another, turn into a nightmare.