The U.S. is heading for a momentous vote. Canada's ambassador says we have to be ready

Canada's ambassador to the United States says Ottawa must take concrete steps to prepare for the outcome of this fall's pivotal presidential election, which could see Donald Trump returned to power.

In an interview with CBC News on Saturday ahead of a Canadian cabinet retreat in Montreal — where she will brief ministers — Kirsten Hillman said that given the importance of the United States as Canada's closest economic partner and ally, this country has to be ready.

«Whenever a significant moment in time is coming for the Americans, we have to make sure that we are on top of it, and that we are doing everything that we can to position Canada in the best possible way for either a shift, or a change in direction,» she said.

The U.S. presidential election is increasingly looking like it will be a rematch of the 2020 vote. President Joe Biden is running for re-election, leading the Democratic ticket alongside Vice-President Kamala Harris. Donald Trump is out to an early lead in his bid to become the Republican party's nominee.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed the possibility of a second Trump term earlier this week.

«It wasn't easy the first time and if there is a second time, it won't be easy either,» he said in French.

Trade tensions with Trump

The Canadian government under Trudeau clashed repeatedly with the Trump administration, and the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement was a key focal point.

Part of Canada's strategy during those lengthy trade talks was to build alliances with officials in state and local governments, and Hillman said Saturday that Canada needs to start putting in the work to reinvigorate those ties.

«A very important step is to make sure that we have all of the relationships in