Political scientist Daniel Béland: Canada has to respond, even if it hurts us

Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to make Canada the '51st state' Daniel Béland , director of the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada , talks to the New Statesman.

Trump has imposed, then suspended, 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports twice since resuming the US presidency.

Trump is a bully, and he thrives on bullying people, as we saw with Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office a couple of weeks ago .

We see that Trump is using tariffs, not just as an economic tool, but as a political tool, as a tool of intimidation to get things he wants from different countries.

We have to respond, even if it hurts us, and I think we have to show that we are standing up to Trump .

The political agenda in Canada has shifted from cost-of-living issues to how to deal with our southern neighbour.

Trump has become public enemy number one for many Canadians , so if we associate you with Trump , that’s not a good thing for you with most voters.

I think we should be extremely afraid of the prospect of a real military alliance between Russia and the United States under Donald Trump .