Trudeau congratulates Trump, cites close economic and security ties
OTTAWA — Boost defence spending, dial down the volume on battling climate change and find a bridge or energy project to build together.
That was the expert advice Prime Minister Justin Trudeau received Friday on how to get along with new U.S. President Donald Trump and make Canada relevant to his “America First” policy.
Derek Burney, a former Canadian ambassador to the U.S. under Brian Mulroney, said Trump’s protectionist, pro-American inauguration speech need not be cause for the Trudeau government light its “hair on fire” because there is plenty of policy space for Canada to plug into.
“If physical security and economic growth are his priorities, we’re in good shape to be constructively co-operative with him on both,” said Burney.