As Trump muses again about absorbing Canada, Kinew calls diplomatic efforts in D.C. a success
Manitoba premier says it takes time for diplomacy to bear fruit
While President Donald Trump repeated his desire to absorb Canada into the United States, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew tried to assure his constituents he and other Canadian leaders are doing everything they can to strengthen cross-border relations.
On his second day of a trip by Canadian premiers to Washington, D.C., Trump once again declared his desire to make Canada the 51st U.S. state.
One hour after that declaration, Kinew said Manitoba's relationship with the U.S. is "in a better place" and insisted there is value in continuing to speak to U.S. officials in an effort to dissuade the Trump administration from imposing tariffs on Canadian exports.
"Every Canadian agrees we're not going to be the 51st state. But when it comes being a No. 1 friend to the U.S., I think there's the opportunity to come down and build the relationship," Kinew told reporters Thursday during a Zoom call from Washington.
On Wednesday, Kinew and most of his fellow premiers met with James Blair, a Trump assistant and deputy chief of staff.
After that meeting, Blair reiterated Trump's expansionist intentions toward Canada.
On Thursday, Kinew said he met with elected officials, union leaders, businesspeople, "thought leaders" and a more senior member of the Trump team: U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, the former governor of North Dakota.
"He's been to Manitoba many times. He knows where we are on a map. He knows what our province is all about," Kinew said.
The premier said Manitoba must continue to manage its U.S. relationships.
Strategic approach less effective: prof
But times have changed since former premier Gary Doer, Kinew's mentor when it comes to U.S. trade, used his connections with U.S. governors and other officials south of the border to allow Manitoba to punch above its economic weight, said Paul Thomas, professor emeritus of political studies at the University of Manitoba.
"This is a unique period of time when we have this power concentrated in the hands of a single, somewhat deranged actor in Donald Trump, who doesn't listen to many people," Thomas said in an interview.
"That kind of strategic and tactical approach has far diminished value in dealing with a figure like Donald Trump. He just is not subject to rational arguments and cases that are being placed in front of him."
Thomas said it was a "sad spectacle" to see Canadian premiers waiting to enter the White House in what he called a futile effort effort to convince a Trump surrogate to change the U.S. president's mind.
"To be heard is one thing. To be listened to and to be taken seriously is a different thing," Thomas said.
"I'm not sure when they're being granted an audience with lower-level figures in the Trump White House, whether we should be all that reassured."
