Trump and Trudeau, a study in contrasts
If the current governments in Ottawa and Washington have to be compared, an observer would probably find startling contrasts. Justin Trudeau leads a Cabinet that has been fairly stable with a few tweaks in personnel. Donald Trump’s administration, meanwhile, is as volatile as the 45th President of the United States, and undergoes more alterations than those in a tailor’s establishment. The Canadian leader is often pragmatic, though given to liberally flaunting his politically correct flair. The American leader, if he were a country, would have faced United Nations sanctions by now and is on course to be the first occupant of the Oval Office to face impeachment proceedings since Bill Clinton.
2018, though, is making for a storyline from bizarro world. Trump, who rarely allows an hour to elapse without infusing another healthy dose of drama into the day, has approval ratings, that at least according to Rasmussen Reports, have often topped that of his predecessor Barack Obama at this stage in their tenures. His colleague to the north, Trudeau, though, is headed south, with public perception of his government hitting lows rarely seen in Canadian history for governments at this point of their mandate.
In terms of their respective relations with India, the contrast is similarly marked. Ties with the United States under Trump are like a serving of the proverbial curate’s egg for New Delhi: Some of it is fairly rotten, some digestible. While India may be thrilled with the tough trade tactics on China, that is counteracted by measures on climate change policy or work visas. And while it will be for strides being made across the demilitarised zone in the Korean peninsula, nixing the Iran deal and its consequences will make New Delhi sweat. Canada, meanwhile, is offering safe sanctuary for Indian IT talent, and while it is soft on Beijing, is often on the same diplomatic page as India except for its blind spot, Khalistani separatists.
However, the reality is that if Trump were to land in India any time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi would certainly be at the tarmac to greet the President with a trademark hug, even if that’s only to keep that eggshell ego from shattering. And we all know what occurred during Trudeau’s recent visit, where even his ethnic costumes got ripped.
The contradictions between where Trudeau and Trump are at this stage of their reigns are just another example of these times. Briefly, last year, Trudeau’s star waxed as the heir to Obama’s liberal mantle but that was in vain.
While the Canadian PM prepares to say sorry yet again, this time for discrimination against Jews in the 1930s, Trump remains unapologetic, while delivering on an agenda regardless of how offensive others may find it.
He is the shining example of how a muscular approach to the world may be the right play. Or, given how mercurial these times are, somewhat like Trump, at least so far this year.