NOT IMPRESSED WITH TRUMP
Chretien speaks out on U.S. politics
Q What have been the most surprising developments since you left public office?
A The election of Trump in the United States. It’s very surprising and not very encouraging.
Q What has been most surprising to you about his presidency?
A That the Americans are in that situation. You know, for them, it is probably a loss of great prestige in the world because of that, to have to deal with a president who is so erratic as President Trump. If you’re a leader in the big countries in Europe and Asia and so on, you’re wondering what is happening … but it’s democracy. They elected him as president and we have to live with it.
Q If you were still in political office, what do you imagine your relationship with Trump would be like?
A No, I don’t want to speculate. I don’t want to play the role of a mother-in-law here. The prime minister has to do his job the best he can and I support him and it’s very complicated and very difficult and I think he’s doing quite well.
Q What do you see as being the biggest challenges Canada is facing ? A The problem is for Canada like the others. I don’t know what will be the end result of this protectionist mood that seems to be prevailing in the United States and that is against the best interests of Americans. If Canada, Mexico and United States have grown a lot in the last 22 years because I signed the NAFTA agreement in 1994, the first year I was prime minister, the three countries have benefited a lot ... The Republicans have always been the free traders in United States and suddenly comes Trump, claims that he is a protectionist. So I don’t know what will be the end result of that. You know, when there are negotiations of this type, there are a lot of things written and sometimes deals are made at the last second so I don’t want to speculate. But Canada, you know, we are the biggest clients for 35 states of 50 in United States, the best market for them with their products is Canada. So there will be consequences if we all become protectionist.
Q What have been your impressions of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s leadership?
A He has the right values, he is a Liberal, he is talking like a Liberal, middle-of-the-roader type of guy, not too much on the left, not too much on the right, reasonable and in favour of human rights and freedoms, respect for individuals. Our charter of rights was the work of his father and myself when I was minister of justice and so on and he is defending the tradition.
Q Social media was not a very significant player during your time in office. Have you thought about how your time in office would have been different if it was? A I don’t speculate about if, if and if.
Q Are you a big user of technology? A A little bit, but not too much. I have an iPad and I have a phone. Q Are you on social media?
A No. I don’t want that because if I gave my name, I don’t want to tweet. It’s not my ambition in life.
Q Shortly after you left office you made a comment that you would try marijuana once it is legalized. Is that still something you plan to do when that happened in July 2018?
A I’m not so sure I will try. I probably tried two cigarettes in my lifetime and a couple of cigars after dinner so it might be five or six times so I don’t think I will try.