With a potential trade war looming between Canada and the United States under the incoming Trump administration, Canadian regional leaders are taking matters into their own hands, seeking to influence the new government as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau grapples with a destabilizing leadership crisis, Bloomberg reports.
Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai recently met with Donald J. Trump Jr., the president-elect’s eldest son, at a hunting lodge in North Carolina. Over meals featuring local game, including black bear spring rolls, the two discussed trade relations and the Yukon’s economic contributions to the US economy. Pillai emphasized that Canada’s trade deficit is due to the country’s export of raw materials, which are then processed and create jobs in the US He also highlighted the Yukon’s role in Arctic security and opportunities to secure North American supply chains.
The meeting builds on a prior encounter between the two at a conference in Nevada. Pillai also presented Trump Jr. with clothing to highlight the Trump family’s historical ties to the Yukon, where Donald Trump Sr.’s grandfather, Friedrich Trump, operated a restaurant, bar, and brothel during the gold rush.
While Donald Trump Jr. emphasized his lack of an official role in the incoming administration, Pillai noted that individuals connected to the transition team were also present during their discussions. These informal conversations are part of a broader effort by Canadian premiers to establish formal meetings with the Trump transition team before the inauguration on January 20.
The regional leaders are expressing concern that the federal government in Ottawa is not doing enough to prepare for the shift in US leadership. Pillai specifically mentioned having only brief communication with new Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc, and a perceived lack of a cohesive, comprehensive strategy from Ottawa. This concern has intensified following the recent resignation of Trudeau’s deputy, Chrystia Freeland, which has destabilized his government.
Despite the current domestic political uncertainty in Canada, progress is still being made on certain initiatives. Earlier this month, the US Department of Defense and the Canadian government jointly announced investments in a Yukon tungsten mining project.
