It’s official.
In what some are classifying as the “most remarkable comebacks in U.S. presidential history,” Donald J. Trump has done what he said he would do to “Make America Great Again” by being elected as the 47th president of the United States.
With 74,675,378 votes to Harris’ 71,146,679, Trump received 50.3 per cent of the vote, which resulted in 312 electoral seats.
This is historic, and that’s on so many levels.
For beginners, after a roller-coaster campaign during which he was indicted four times, criminally convicted of 34 felony counts, and survived two assassination attempts, Trump becomes the first president in over a century – 127 years – to serve non-consecutive terms since Grover Cleveland, who was in office from 1885-89, and from 1893-97.
Following suit, he is the oldest individual to become elected as president, at the age of 78; he became the first convicted criminal to hold office and will also be the first U.S. president to hold office while facing legal indictment; he also becomes the first double impeached president; and becomes the first Republican to win the popular vote in 20 years.
This development will likely shape Canada’s political, economic, and social landscape in unprecedented ways, leaving many Canadians asking the question, “What does this mean for us?”
Canadians are no strangers to the ripple effects of U.S. politics, as the country is deeply connected to our southern neighbor, but Trump’s return to the White House promises new uncertainties – and potentially new opportunities – for our country, at times, in unpredictable ways.
Trump’s first presidency saw him prioritize “America First,” and he was not shy about revisiting trade deals, tariffs, and border policies. Canada’s economy felt these shifts acutely, with sectors like steel, aluminum, and automotive manufacturing facing the brunt of tariffs and renegotiations.
“Canada, they need to buckle up. The whole world needs to buckle up because President Trump will continue his policies from 2016,” Kelly Craft, Trump’s former ambassador to Canada told Radio-Canada recently. “We are going to ‘Make America Great Again’ and we will be bringing it back to where it was under the Trump presidency.”
As Trump resumes office, there is a strong likelihood he will revisit trade policies if he feels American interests are at risk, potentially posing both challenges and opportunities for Canadian industries.
While I’m no economist, Canadian businesses should brace for an economic shift, as our exporters – who send over 75 per cent of our exports to the U.S. – may be impacted as Trumnp’s return may bring uncertainty about trade agreements and tariffs, particularly if he revisits the USMCA (the renegotiated NAFTA).
As he previously announced plans to impose a minimum 10 percent tariff on all imports – a move that could significantly disrupt Canadian businesses and the jobs they support. With approximately $3.6 billion in goods crossing the Canada-U.S. border daily, this policy shift poses serious implications for trade and economic stability in Canada.
As a natural result, Canadian industries reliant on the American market may need to embrace more protectionist policies.
However, a silver lining may be Trump’s support for North American energy independence, as it could offer a unique opportunity for Canada’s energy sector, particularly in Alberta.
Its possible Trump might revisit contentious projects like Keystone XL or encourage cross-border energy trade, potentially boosting Canadian oil production and jobs in the industry. This could inject life into Alberta’s struggling energy sector, albeit with environmental trade-offs.
Environmental policy represents one of the starkest divides between Canada and Trump’s administration.
While Canada has pledged significant reductions in carbon emissions and invested heavily in renewable energy, Trump’s stance on climate change remains largely dismissive. In his previous term, Trump rolled back numerous environmental regulations and withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Agreement.
This time around, Canada – as it tries to maintain its green initiatives without losing ground in a carbon-dependent economy – might again find itself at odds with a key ally when it comes to climate policy.
For Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government – or any successor keen on combating climate change – Trump’s policies will likely present obstacles. Canada may feel pressure to protect its own industries if Trump continues to support fossil fuels, creating a potential disconnect between federal climate goals and the realities of cross-border competition.
“The friendship between Canada and the U.S. is the envy of the world,” Prime Minister Trudeau said, congratulating Trump on his victory. “I know President Trump and I will work together to create more opportunity, prosperity and security for both of our nations.”
This misalignment could also lead to complex diplomatic negotiations, as Canada continues to prioritize sustainability, and the U.S. remains focused on deregulation and economic gains.
Trump’s past policies and hardline stance on immigration and border security have had wide-reaching effects on Canadians, from increased border scrutiny to restrictions on travel and immigration policies affecting dual citizens and residents. With a renewed emphasis on “secure borders,” Canadians might face heightened border security, tighter visa requirements, and more stringent restrictions when crossing into the U.S., which could impact everything from tourism to binational families.
Canada, known for its welcoming immigration policies, may experience increased asylum requests if Trump enforces more restrictive immigration measures in the U.S. Canada could see a rise in applicants seeking a stable and open environment, particularly from those currently residing in the U.S.
This may lead to policy changes on the Canadian side, especially if there is an influx of asylum seekers at the border, but if managed well, this could be a pivotal moment for Canada to affirm its global image as a compassionate and inclusive country.
Perhaps one of the less obvious impacts of Trump’s presidency is the influence his divisive rhetoric could have on Canadian society. The spillover from polarized U.S. media and political discourse has already made waves here, as Canadians are increasingly divided on issues from freedom of speech to social justice.
Canadians should be prepared for an intensification of these debates, as Trump’s leadership once again amplifies voices on both sides of these divides. Social media will likely become a battleground of opinions mirroring U.S. tensions, and Canadians may find themselves grappling with heightened polarization at home.
Political figures in Canada may feel compelled to take stronger stances on issues like freedom of speech and government intervention, reshaping the way we engage with one another on social and cultural issues.
Above all, Trump’s return to the presidency is a call for Canada to strengthen its diplomatic stance.
Whether it’s Trudeau or another leader at the helm, Canada will need to tread carefully, as Trump’s approach can ne unpredictable, to maintain its partnership with the U.S. while advocating for its own values and interests.
This balancing act will require a nuanced approach, as Trump redefines U.S. priorities, especially as Canadian leaders navigate our relationship with both diplomacy and firmness, holding onto our own values while respecting America’s sovereign choices.
In their reporting of the election results, CBC’s Senior Correspondent Adrienne Arsenault suggested after 10 hours of on-air election coverage, “It’s no longer the Republican Party, it’s the Trump Party.”
In the end, Trump’s presidency may prompt Canada to reinforce its international alliances and broaden its trade partnerships beyond the U.S.
While challenges are certain, this moment also offers Canada an opportunity to redefine its role in the global arena, reinforcing its commitment to diversity, inclusion, and climate action while remaining a valuable partner to its southern neighbor.
This moment will also challenge our nation to grapple with issues of identity, economy, and environment in new and deeper ways.
This is not a time for Canada to retreat; it’s a chance for us to assert our voice on the world stage, bolster our independence, and show that even as the world changes, Canada remains steadfast in its commitment to fairness, democracy, and peace.
For Canadians, Trump’s presidency may stir both concern and opportunity. Whether it’s fortifying our economy, strengthening our climate action, or standing up for social values that define us, Canada can emerge from this era stronger and more self-assured.
But one thing is clear: the choices Canada makes in the coming years will shape its path forward as much as they will define our relationship with the U.S.
It’s a moment that calls for courage, unity, and the will to stand strong as a nation uniquely positioned – and determined – to make its own mark on the world stage.
While Trump’s political career was expected to end after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol Building – only time will tell what this presidency holds for him, for everyday Americans and for us, as their neighbours to the north.