Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joined world leaders in congratulating Donald Trump on winning the U.S. presidential election on Wednesday.
“Congratulations to Donald Trump on being elected President of the United States,” Trudeau wrote in a Wednesday morning post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“The friendship between Canada and the U.S. is the envy of the world. I know President Trump and I will work together to create more opportunity, prosperity, and security for both of our nations.”
Trudeau later called Trump to congratulate him on his victory, according to a readout of the call from the Prime Minister’s Office late Wednesday.
“The two leaders discussed the enduring and successful partnership between Canada and the United States,” the readout said.
“They discussed trade, including the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement that President Trump and Prime Minister Trudeau successfully negotiated in the President’s first term. They also discussed their shared interest in secure and reliable supply chains and addressing unfair trading practices in the global economy.
“During their conversation, the two leaders also discussed North American security. They agreed to stay in close contact.”
Trudeau also issued an official statement, noting what Canada and the U.S. accomplished during Trump’s first term as president, including negotiating CUSMA.
“Canada and the U.S. have the world’s most successful partnership,” Trudeau said in the statement.
“We are neighbours and friends, united by a shared history, common values, and steadfast ties between our peoples. We are also each other’s largest trade partners and our economies are deeply intertwined.
“We look forward to working with President-elect Trump and his administration, including on issues such as trade, investment, and continental peace and security.”
Speaking to reporters in Ottawa later on Wednesday, Trudeau said after a “decisive victory” for Trump, the two sides will look to strengthen North American economic opportunities and to protect the region from various challenges that exist across the globe.
“The world is actually even more difficult and more complicated than it was four years ago,” Trudeau said.
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“I know that there’s lots of work for us to do… On our side, we’ve been preparing for this. We’re looking forward to doing this work, and we’re going to make sure that this extraordinary friendship and alliance between Canada and the United States continues to be a real benefit to Canadians, but also to people around the world.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland echoed those comments, while also eased concerns for any potential ramifications of a Trump presidency.
“I know that a lot of Canadians are anxious, a lot of Canadians have been anxious this week, a lot of Canadians were anxious throughout the night, and I want to say with utter sincerity and conviction to Canadians that Canada will be absolutely fine,” Freeland said.
Economists have warned that Canada’s economy could tip into recession under a second Trump term, with fears largely circling around the impact of potential tariffs that the Republican president-elect has proposed on foreign imports.
Freeland said she is confident that Canada will continue to defend its national interest and continue to thrive.
“Our partnership in no way undercuts American workers and I know that that is at the heart of the concerns of President Trump and his team, because that is at the heart of our new NAFTA deal that we concluded with them,” Freeland said.
“I have real confidence that Canada is going to come together and face this moment as a united Canada.”
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce said Ottawa should collaborate with the Trump administration to preserve and strengthen bilateral economic ties.
“By resisting tariffs and trade barriers that will only raise prices and hurt consumers in both countries, Canada and the United States can strengthen resilient cross-border supply chains that enhance our shared economic security,” Candace Laing, president and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement Wednesday.
Trump’s win could also put increasing pressure on Canada to hit NATO’s target defence spending target, after the parliamentary budget officer (PBO) raised concerns about Ottawa’s plan.
Trump has previously warned that the United States may not defend allies who are not meeting NATO members’ agreed-on two per cent of their GDP on defence.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre congratulated Trump on his win, adding that his mission if elected prime minister would be to “save our jobs.”
“The U.S. has already taken half a trillion dollars of investment and jobs from Canada under 9 years of Trudeau, and our people cannot afford homes and food,” Poilievre said on X.
“Yesterday’s result confirms we must cancel Trudeau’s plan to quadruple the carbon tax and hike other taxes, which would push hundreds of thousands more jobs south where President Trump will be cutting taxes even further.”
Speaking to reporters before question period, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said he’s “deeply worried” about what another Trump administration means for the world, including Canada, adding that he’s not looking forward to a repeat of last time.
“There’s a lot of really challenging and problematic things that Mr. Trump has said, things that are going to cause deep, deep fears for people around the world, but here in Canada as well. So, I’m worried,” Singh said Wednesday.
He said Trump’s plan to impose tariffs will directly impact Canadian workers and lead to job losses.
Meanwhile, Ontario Premier Doug Ford chimed in, saying he is “optimistic about the opportunities that lie ahead for more trade and co-operation between Ontario and the United States.”
“Now is the time to bet big on the U.S.-Ontario relationship,” Ford said in a statement.
“I look forward to working with President-elect Trump, Vice President-elect Vance, their administration and leaders across the United States as we continue to build and grow together.”
Trump defeated Democratic Vice-President Kamala Harris to clinch his second non-consecutive term in the White House.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Trump had secured 292 electoral votes to 224 for Harris.
At least 270 of 538 electoral votes are needed to clinch the U.S. presidency.
World leaders from across the globe have reacted to Trump’s win, extending their congratulations.
Leaders from the United Kingdom, Australia, France, Germany, Israel, India, Japan and many others have congratulated Trump.
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