Different approaches for dealing with Trump

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has avoided making negative remarks about U.S. President Donald Trump, but the same cannot be said for a Windsor city councillor with a Twitter account.

Voicing a strong opinion about what he believes is Trump’s ambition, Councillor Hilary Payne took to Twitter on Sunday. He offered his support for a U.S. judge who has temporarily stopped Trump’s executive order on travel restrictions.

“Vladimir Putin is what Donald Trump would like to be – a ruthless dictator with no opposition,” said Payne in a tweet.

His approach toward the U.S. president is not one that Payne thinks will work for the Canadian government. He said if Trudeau referred to Trump in the same way he would probably be told to mind his own business.

“The word authoritarianism has been used a lot in the States recently,” said Payne. “I’m concerned because we are a neighbouring country. When that kind of thing is happening…it may spill over into this country.”

Recognizing the importance of NAFTA, Payne is concerned. He said with Trump it is hard to be sure of what he is going to do or when.

“Any changes for NAFTA could have a very significant impact for Canada.”

Using the Keystone XL pipeline as an example, Payne said so far the tone toward Canada has been neutral or favourable.

A former diplomat agrees dealing with Trump and the U.S. should be measured and neutral. In a special report for the Globe and Mail, Colin Robertson said Canada should take a “Goldilocks” or neutral approach. Robertson has a decades long diplomatic career dealing in trade issues with the U.S.

“We need to take Mr. Trump very seriously and often literally. This means planning, not panic; a co-ordinated, all-of-Canada strategy demonstrating that we are a fair-trading partner and reliable ally,” said Robertson in his opinion piece.

In a press briefing Wednesday the White House press secretary announced Trudeau will meet with Trump next week. He offered no details about the time or date.