Canada braces for Trump 2.0 as the former president takes the lead in U.S. presidential race

Polls suggest former president Donald Trump is in a strong position to win back the presidency this November — a development that could have wide-ranging implications for Canada, given how tumultuous his first term was for this country.

Trump leads a united party despite sometimes intense opposition and criticism of his election denial and role in the January 6 insurrection attempt.

Elected officials and card-carrying Republicans — even former anti-Trumpers — have rallied around him at this week's convention after the failed assassination attempt. The former president is leading in every electoral battleground and other states previously thought to be safe for the Democrats.

President Joe Biden, who faced an uprising with his own party after a disastrous debate performance last month, stepped aside Sunday to make way for someone else to take on Trump — a decision that adds considerable uncertainty to the race.

The prospect of a second Trump presidency brings the possible consequences for Canada into sharper focus.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has tapped Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne to be his point man on bilateral irritants.

Champagne has been jetting around the U.S. — he's been to New York, Michigan, Ohio, Georgia, Washington D.C., New Jersey and Nebraska in recent months — to lobby officials to protect bilateral trade from possible disruptions, or worse.

«Throughout these visits, he has actively engaged with key influencers, including mayors, governors, labour leaders and chambers of commerce, who recognize the increasing interconnectedness of our economies,» a spokesperson for the minister said in a statement.

Laura Dawson is a Canada-U.S. relations expert and the executive director of the Future Borders