Cooper Whitton @CooperWhittton - Twitter Profile

Now I’m not one who likes to point out everything we do wrong without offering alternative solutions that could lead to a more prosperous Canada. If I were in power in Canada, here’s exactly how I’d handle a Trump presidency. 1. Build Personal Chemistry, Fast Trump deals in loyalty and optics, not ideology. Canada needs to charm publicly, negotiate privately. You don’t win with confrontation, you win with connection. 2. Speak His Language: Deals, Wins, Leverage Forget “rules-based order.” Talk about good deals that create American jobs. Frame every proposal as a win for both sides. 3. Align With U.S. Governors and Business Mulroney lobbied Congress and U.S. industries to make Canadian access their fight too. Do the same: make U.S. farmers, automakers, and energy workers our allies. 4. Be Firm Privately, Respectful Publicly Trump retaliates when humiliated, not when challenged privately. Negotiate tough behind closed doors, stay calm and diplomatic on camera. 5. Offer Symbolic Wins That Cost Little Let Trump have the headlines if Canada gets the substance. Rebrand joint projects as Made in North America. Optics are free, market access isn’t. 6. Protect Canada Through Institutions Trump governs by instinct, not rules, that’s why Canada must. Our defense isn’t charm. It’s structure. Under CUSMA (our current Canada–U.S.–Mexico Agreement): •Keep & strengthen Chapter 19-style panels that let us appeal U.S. tariffs to neutral arbitrators. •Use Chapter 31 aggressively when the U.S. breaks its commitments. •Treat the 2026 review as a renegotiation opportunity, not a threat — build U.S. industry coalitions that need Canadian trade. Mulroney built mechanisms that outlasted presidents. That’s how Canada stays safe when Washington turns turbulent. Reinforce dispute-resolution mechanisms like NAFTA’s Chapter 19. We can’t rely on personality, we need protection from unpredictability. 7. Use America’s Domestic Politics as Leverage Target states and sectors that depend on Canada. Let their voices push Washington to cooperate. That’s how Mulroney won Reagan’s trust and trade fairness. 8. Own the Narrative at Home Be transparent and patriotic. Frame diplomacy as strength, not submission. Canadians respect firmness with grace. Bottom Line: Charm publicly. Prepare ruthlessly. Align interests privately. And always, always make Canada indispensable. That’s how you win with Trump and fight for Canada. Now send this to our current leaders so they stop screwing up.

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