As Trump returns to the White House, Canadians are anxious to see his early priorities and potential tariffs on trade.
Canadians are tuning in to see what he’ll prioritize first, especially after he hinted at slapping a hefty 25% tariff on imports from Canada. That’s got everyone on edge.
His team has prepped over 100 executive orders, but we’re still in the dark about what’s actually in there and what he’ll sign right away. Canada’s ambassador to the U.S., Kirsten Hillman, said they’re ready for whatever comes next.
For now, it looks like he’s holding off on those tariffs. An anonymous Trump official mentioned that he might just ask federal agencies to look into trade issues instead of jumping straight into tariffs.
On the ground, thousands of Trump supporters are braving the cold in Washington for the inauguration. It’s a federal holiday, so the streets are mostly filled with his fans, not the usual work crowd.
Merchandise vendors are out in full force, and supporters are buzzing with excitement about Trump’s return. One guy from Nevada believes Trump will stop other countries from taking advantage of the U.S. and lower grocery prices.
Another visitor from Connecticut is hoping for a speech that promotes unity and common sense.
This inauguration is a big deal. Trump is the first former president to come back to power since Grover Cleveland, and he’s also the oldest person ever elected.
The vibe is different this time around compared to 2017. Back then, there were massive protests against him, but this year, officials don’t expect much unrest.
Carrie Underwood is set to perform before Trump takes his oath, and a lot of big names are expected to tune in, including tech billionaires and world leaders.
The theme of his speech is rumored to be “unity,” which is a nice change from the doom and gloom he painted in his first address.
It’s also a stark contrast to how he left four years ago, skipping Biden’s inauguration after the Capitol riots.
Biden, Harris, and former presidents are all expected to attend, but it’s unclear how the change in venue will affect the guest list.
Canadian politicians are in D.C. too, attending an event at the Canadian Embassy. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is there, and she’s been vocal about not wanting to consider tariffs on oil exports.
Canada is ready with its own plans for retaliatory tariffs if Trump goes through with his. If he does impose that 25% tariff, Canada could respond with counter-tariffs worth around $37 billion.
Hillman has been making the rounds on American news, stressing that a trade war would be bad for both countries. She’s hopeful they can avoid that and work together on trade and energy issues.
