As Americans hold their collective breath, waiting for another diplomatic gaff from Donald Trump at the G20 conference in Germany, many of them look longingly to the north.
"How Trump Made Justin Trudeau A Global Superstar," shouted a feature-length Politico article last weekend, noting that Trudeau looked like a lightweight lame duck in his first year as prime minister, a guy who skated into the highest office in the land solely on good looks and that last name.
Then came Trump.
Suddenly, as the article points out, many Canadians suddenly appreciate Trudeau's gentle and slightly boring manner, his youthful hipness and how he doesn't embarrass himself and the country on a daily basis on Twitter. Internationally, Trudeau (and by extension, Canada) is now seen as a bastion of cool sensibility, particularly after Theresa May's implosion in the U.K., the uncertainty of France's new president Emmanuel Macron and the looming threat of Vladimir Putin in Russia.
Yes, his "uhs" and "ums" are painful to Canadian ears but listen to audio clips of the old man. Trudeau The Young sounds like a Toastmasters trainer next to his father when he spoke without prepared notes, which was often. Watch the famous debate with reporters during the FLQ crisis (it's on YouTube) and ask yourself when was the last time a Canadian prime minister or premier openly engaged in that kind of open-ended to-and-fro with reporters.
In today's era, a handler or communications specialist would have shut that conversation down long before Trudeau Sr. got to say "there are lots of bleeding hearts around that don't like to see people with helmets and guns. All I can say is 'go on and bleed,'" followed by the timeless "just watch me" when the reporter asked how far he would go to keep the peace.
It's this kind of transparency, willingness to engage in respectful debate and active and forceful defence of choices and beliefs that could help Trudeau Jr. now. In other words, the current Prime Minister Trudeau can shine on the national and international stage by projecting Trumpian strength and confidence without the rude bluster and ignorance.
Like his father with Richard Nixon, Trudeau's moment comes during a discredited presidency and a divided America. It creates a similar opportunity to forge a uniquely Canadian path in favour of international trade, immigration, human rights and peace, while continuing to publicly praise and value close ties with the U.S.
As a Postmedia story pointed out, Trump may have taken a tough line on softwood lumber but he likes the dashing young Canadian prime minister for his firm stance on the many issues where they disagree, his good looks and his resemblance to his son-in-law, Jared Kushner. It was White House officials who came to Trudeau for help talking Trump down from blowing up NAFTA. Trudeau and Trump blamed the other's forest sector and government ministries for the lumber disagreement, rather than pointing the finger at themselves.
Trudeau could sit back, staying quiet and safe but that would be a mistake. The world is looking for Canada to step up. Meanwhile, Trump sees in Trudeau a younger version of himself, despite their political differences.
The Politico article mentions Trudeau Sr.'s depiction of the Canada-U.S. relationship as "sleeping with an elephant," arguing that there might not be much rest for the modern-day Trudeau who is both "detractor and ally, partner and potential target" for Trump.
This is no time for Trudeau to rest or play it safe.
Imagine how pleased Trump would be if Trudeau took him aside in Germany this weekend, invited him up for a retreat at some ritzy wilderness resort (with a nice golf course, naturally) and said let's sit down and come up with a new softwood lumber deal that will make both our countries great. It's that kind of bold, direct action that plays to Trump's vanity, his need to be in front of the cameras and his endless desire for more wins.
Trudeau can live up to that "global superstar" billing in the age of Trump but he'll have to do more than smile for the cameras to get there.
-- Editor-in-chief Neil Godbout
