Canada faces a more protectionist U.S. regardless of who is president: ex-envoy

Canada’s ambassador to the United States for much of Donald Trump’s presidency says Canada needs to prepare for a more isolationist and protectionist U.S. regardless of who wins the election in November.

“What you’ve got is a challenging situation down there where we need to be able to demonstrate to them that we are a reliable, good friend and good partner,” David MacNaughton said in an interview with Global News.

“What we did the last time was we spent a lot of time showing them how important we were from an economic point of view.”

Trump defeated Nikki Haley in the Republican New Hampshire primary Tuesday night with 54 per cent of the vote, putting him one step closer to securing the GOP nomination.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Trump brings a degree of “unpredictability” to relations with the U.S.

Regardless of who wins in November, MacNaughton stressed the importance of Canada selling its economic friendship by potentially being a source of critical minerals and hydroelectricity, but more importantly sharing how Canada can collaborate on American priorities.

“I think even more important this time is going to be to help them with some of the things that they’re most worried about, which is drugs coming into the United States, there is illegal migration, which is potential terrorism,” MacNaughton said.

According to a Jan. 15 Angus Reid poll, 53 per cent of Canadian see a Biden victory as better for the Canadian economy, versus 18 per cent seeing a Trump victory as beneficial.

To prepare for the next American administration, Trudeau announced he’s tasked Trade Minister Mary Ng, Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne and current Ambassador Kirsten Hillman to lead a “Team Canada” approach to relations