02-01 Canada-US Relations

“Geography has made us neighbours. History has made us friends. Economics has made us partners. And necessity has made us allies.” These stirring words were delivered by President John F Kennedy to the Parliament of Canada in May, 1961. The Canadian Prime Minister was John Diefenbaker.
Sounds like the relationship between the two leaders was strong. Actually they hated each others guts. The address to parliament is a testament to hiring quality speech writers.
When, however, the relationship between leaders is strong, big things can happen. Like the Seaway Canal being built during the Eisenhower/St. Laurent years.
A story just as big was the Canada-US Free Trade Agreement developed during the Reagan/Mulroney years. That agreement made possible the Canada-US-Mexico agreement that we enjoy today.
I was a member of Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau’s Advisory Committee in 1972. He praised the relationship he had with Jimmy Carter, but his relationship with President Richard Nixon was obviously one of chalk and cheese. Nixon is on the record referring to Trudeau as a “pompous ass” and an “asshole”. It was Carter who led the US delegation at Trudeau’s funeral.
Leaders may get along, or not get along. But the economic and national security relationship is significant, and must never be taken for granted. Public attitudes can change so quickly. Smart leaders always build on the relationship. Even if the job has to be left to speech writers.
The relationship between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is a serious work in progress. I am sure they do not like one another when discussing the relationship in private. But President Trump seems to signal his dislike in public.
Like suggesting putting troops at the border to keep Canadians from bringing the virus to the US. And how about the need to put tariffs on Canadian exports of steel and aluminium for national security purposes.
This kind of activity sours public opinion which seriously poisons the relationship. So even if leaders like one another they are unable to do things together.
The internal politics of Canada and the US have been interesting to observe during the regular briefings on the Coronavirus pandemic. There seems to be two different political cultures at work.
The US states quarrel and compete with each other. And on a partisan basis conflict with President Trump’s public chats. In Canada, on the other hand, we see the provinces and the federal government cooperating and delivering the same consistent message.
The isolationism practiced by President Trump during the pandemic is doing more than harming Canada-US relations, it is removing the US as a global leader.
It is also exposing the powerful political, ideological and economic divisions within the United States. Smart leaders, hoping to mend and unite, try to keep these things secret. President Trump does not seem to understand or care.