Brian Mulroney has always been a foremost admirer of American presidents. Flatters them, cultivates them. Ingratiates himself. And to beneficent effect. For himself and, many would say, for his country.
But Donald Trump? Him, too! “The Donald Trump I have always known,” Mr. Mulroney observed last week without gulping, is “a gentleman.” Has five wonderful kids, he pointed out, who don’t drink, smoke or do crack. “For me, if someone is able to make $10-billion and raise five children like that, it speaks well of him.”
Gentleman Trump shouldn’t be a problem for Canada, added the former Tory prime minister who’s known him for decades. No matter if he’s protectionist, jingoistic, boorish, heapingly erratic – and many other things un-Canadian. “My impression is that he views Canada with favour.”
With the exception of Conrad Black, precious few other Canadians speak highly of Mr. Trump, and many are irked that Mr. Mulroney would do so. It’s typical Mulroney, they say. Currying favour with big-shot Americans.
But more important now is the possibility that, given the potential Trumpian dangers to Canadian interests, Mr. Mulroney can use his persuasive powers to drive some sense into this man’s head and rein him in. Who better to defend free trade, for example, than free trade’s architect?
Given that President Trump very nearly abrogated NAFTA yesterday, Justin Trudeau is going to want to play this card. Whether Trudeau plays it now or later is a matter of discretion. So too as to whether he seeks Mulroney's assistance formally or informally. But if Trump is prepared to behave so rashly, Trudeau should keep the Mulroney card close at hand - even if it means Mulroney serenades Trump.
For Americans tempted to blame NAFTA squarely on Bill and Hillary Clinton must realize there would be no NAFTA without the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement. That means Brian Mulroney and Ronald Reagan. I can remember a time when conservatives would say, "Trade is Nirvana."
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