WARMINGTON: Trump prefers Carney over Poilievre

Article content

Move over Trudeau, Trump has a new choice to be Canada’s governor.

Article content

Article content

Article content

When it comes to who President Donald J. Trump would prefer to run America’s “51st state,” he’s made it clear Prime Minister Mark Carney would get his vote as Canadians wonder when they will get a chance to cast theirs.

As for Trump’s endorsement of Carney, Conservative Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre said it’s perfectly fine with him.

“I’d rather deal with a Liberal than a conservative,” the U.S. President told Laura Ingraham on FOX News Tuesday.

The polls, since Carney become Liberal leader on March 9, now indicate the landscape of voter support has gone from a big lead for the Conservatives to a neck and neck tie. And some polls now show the Liberals are actually surging ahead.

Article content

Article content

The reason for increased support for the Liberals is believed to be, at least in part, a backlash in Canada toward Trump who, in addition to levying punishing tariffs, has made copious disrespectful comments about the land – including it not a viable country without America subsidizing it.

While an election has yet to be called, many expect it could be imminent since Carney has inherited Justin Trudeau’s minority government that no longer has a formal arrangement to support it inside the House of Commons, which currently has its parliament under a prorogued suspension.

Article content

If it an election is called this weekend as some are reporting, Trump tipped his hand for a Liberal re-election.

“I think it’s easier to deal actually with a Liberal and maybe they’re going to win, but I don’t really care,” said Trump. “It doesn’t matter to me at all.”

In fact, Trump went a step further and made the point that Poilievre has not been subservient enough toward him.

“The Conservative that’s running is, stupidly, no friend of mine,” said Trump. “I don’t know him, but he said negative things. When he says negative things, I couldn’t care less.”

Needless to say, this was a perfect set up for a witty response for Poilievre. And he waited until early Wednesday on X to do just that.

“Last night, President Donald Trump endorsed Mark Carney. Why? Because, as Trump said, he’s ‘easier’ to deal with, and knows that I will be a tough negotiator and always put Canada First,” wrote Poilievre. “Carney is weak and would cave to Trump’s demands, just like he did when he moved his company headquarters from Canada to New York City.”

Article content

“Canadians don’t want a weak and conflicted leader. They want a strong Prime Minister who will put Canada First,” he added.

Certainly, Poilievre has not bent the knee to Trump, who has tripled down on his narrative that Canada must become part of America.

Article content

This was not the first time Trump has called out Poilievre. In February he said, “his biggest problem is he’s not a MAGA guy” and “I mean, he’s really not, he’s not a Trump guy at all.”

Poilievre went to X to say, “Mr. President, it is true. I am not MAGA. I am for Canada First. Always. Canada has always been America’s best friend and ally. But we will never be the 51st state.”

On March 12, Poilievre wrote on X, “Donald Trump will have a briefing on his desk about all Carney’s conflicts and he will exploit them against Canada. If Carney wins, Canada loses.” Now he is saying the President’s comments back that up.

But, whether Trump knows it or not, while Carney has been sounding more conciliatory lately, he has not always exactly been convivial about the 45th and 47th President himself – even travelling to Europe to meet with the leaders of France and Great Britain first.

Article content

“We’ve called out those comments. They’re disrespectful, they’re not helpful, and they need to stop,” Carney told reporters this week. “They will have to stop before we sit down and have a conversation about our broader partnership with the United States.”

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Play Video

Overnight came word that Trump and Carney are expected to speak for the first time this week by phone.

“I look forward to having, at the appropriate time, a discussion between two sovereign nations that is comprehensive and not targeted at one issue. There’s a wide range of issues to be discussed when we do connect,” Carney told reporters, adding, “There’s no magic one meeting” that will fix this.

But so far, Trump appears to like what he’s hearing and has said he prefers Carney to Poilievre.

So who wins with Trump’s comments? Carney or Poilievre?

There will be much debate on that and it will likely fall down partisan lines. But, ultimately, the voters in Canada will decide which approach they back and what leader they want to negotiate with Trump.

jwarmington@postmedia.com

Article content