Donald Trump has officially taken office as the 47th president of the United States, solidifying his unprecedented political comeback
Trump, who has overcome impeachments, criminal inditements and a pair of assassination attempts, was sworn in for his second term on Monday afternoon.
Amid this historic moment, Canada’s former minister of former affairs Lloyd Axworthy said he has some concerns.
“To begin with, it’s like sitting on the edge of a volcano waiting for it to erupt,” he said in an interview on Monday morning.
“What we know is what’s going to happen, because it’s already been signaled, [and] has a lot of very serious consequences for Canada.”
Axworthy said Canada is now facing an administration that doesn’t see the country as an ally, but rather as an irritant that they can just take over.
He added we’re seeing a return of the 19th century Monroe Doctrine, which he describes as the belief that the U.S. can control whatever it wants in the hemisphere.
“It’s going to affect our politics,” he said. “There’s no doubt that as we go into an intense election period that the MAGA crowd will have a very strong influence, along with the oligarchs, like Musk, and their money and their information. “
In November, Trump threatened to hit Canada with 25 per cent across-the-board tariffs in an executive order on his first day in office. On Monday, his team indicated he won’t issue tariffs on his inauguration day, but instead he will sign an executive order to launch an investigation into alleged unfair trade practices by Canada, Mexico and China.
Axworthy said these tariffs would have a huge impact on the Canadian economy.
“Most of our trade, close to 90 per cent, is with the United States, so that’s going to really require quite a major adjustment,” he said.
“So we have to look at alternatives and in the meantime, we’re going to, as Canadians, be faced with some very rigorous restraints and concerns as the economy adjusts.”
Axworthy added that he’s also concerned about the climate, saying that Trump has said he’s going to unleash all new developments for oil and gas.
“That will have an impact, particularly on a country like Canada where we have so much exposure in our forests and our areas,” he said.
“So we’re facing quite a substantially different world than we went to bed last night living in.”
Axworthy said Trump’s presidency will require a stronger and more united Canada, not just among governments, but among all people.
With files from CTV’s Rachel Lagace and The Canadian Press.
