OTTAWA - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau welcomed Joe Biden as the next U.S. president on Monday despite Donald Trump's refusal to concede the election, but warned that Ottawa is ready to stand up for Canadian jobs and interests if the new administration seeks to erect barriers to trade.
During a news conference announcing federal funds to expand high-speed internet across Canada, the prime minister sidestepped questions about Trump's allegations of electoral fraud. Trudeau said he has “confidence in the American electoral process as it has unfolded.”
When asked what message he would send to Trump, Trudeau said his message is the same for every American president: “I will work to defend Canadian interests. That's my job.”
The election of Biden is a breath of fresh air for the Trudeau government after four tumultuous years dealing with the mercurial Trump, who personally attacked the prime minister on several occasions as his administration imposed punitive tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum and other goods.
Yet Biden has talked about limiting foreign products in his plan to invest hundreds of billions of dollars into the U.S. economy over the next four years as part of what he has described as a Build Back Better strategy. That could have a big impact on Canadian jobs and interests.
Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, which represents more than 2,500 companies across the country, is one of those that have expressed concern about Biden's plans - and called on Ottawa to redouble its efforts to keep trade flowing.
“Traditionally, Democrats have been more protectionist in their outlook,” CME president Dennis Darby said in a statement. “Mr. Biden campaigned promising to strengthen the Buy American Acts and Buy America, and these policies may force Canadian companies to invest in or relocate to the United States.”
The CME urged the Liberal government to continue lobbying U.S. senators and state governments to prevent an increase in protectionism, as well as changing Canada's tax regime to help business.
Asked about an increase in U.S. protectionism under Biden, Trudeau said Canada has developed a great deal of experience in pushing back against the Trump administration's tariffs as well as the negotiation of a new North American free trade agreement.
“The fundamental argument that we made every step of the way over the past four years - and we'll continue to make into the future - is the fact that creating or imposing barriers on trade between Canada and the U.S. not only hurts Canada, but also hurts workers and companies in the United States,” Trudeau added.
“The integration of our supply chains, the close collaboration and co-operation between businesses and people on both sides of the border means it's always better for us to have free-flowing goods and opportunities on both sides of the border as we work together to succeed in an increasingly competitive global market.
The prime minister went to say that he will keep working with the Trump administration until Biden takes over on Jan. 20, including on efforts to get two Canadians, Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, released from Chinese detention.
Trudeau also went out of his way to congratulate Biden's running mate Kamala Harris, who is to become vice-president. He said seeing a Black and South Asian American woman elected to the vice-presidency was inspiring, and a reminder that everyone has a place in the corridors of power.
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