Another Trudeau Named Canadian Prime Minister
And Brings back memories (not so fond) of
father Pierre’s relationship with President Reagan
- By Tyrus W. Cobb
Colleagues:
Upon hearing the news that Canada had selected another Trudeau, this time Justin, to be Prime Minister, I reflected back on the times that his father, Pierre Trudeau, served in that position….and, of course, his rocky relationship with the last U.S. President he dealt with, Ronald Reagan. To say that the personal interaction between those two was difficult, tension-filled and frosty, would be an understatement!
Pierre served as Canadian Prime Minister twice, first from 1968 to 1979, and again from 1980 to 1984. From the 1960’s to the late 1980’s he dominated Canadian politics “to an extent never seen before”, as one observer noted. He was a flamboyant Liberal who was fascinated early on by Marxist economic precepts, but always remained a devout Catholic and strong “believer”. In fact, his dissertation at Harvard was on the relationship between Communism and Christianity!
He espoused very liberal positions on abortion, divorce and homosexuality, which many even in his own party viewed as radical. At the same time, Trudeau could act decisively against internal threats, as he did in invoking extreme emergency powers as Prime Minister (the War Powers Act) when two governmental ministers were kidnapped (one was later found dead). Although a native French speaker, Trudeau also took a confrontational approach against the Quebec movement for sovereignty.
However, his detachment from day by day management of affairs, exacerbated by his prolonged divorce proceedings, finally led to the Canadian public tiring of Trudeau and his poll numbers fell, resulting in his loss of the PM position in 1979
Trudeau returns as Prime Minister as Reagan Assumes the U.S. Presidency
Trudeau was elected again as Prime Minister in 1980, following failures of the Conservative government to generate an economic recovery. But Trudeau’s approval ratings slipped almost from the beginning, and by the end of 1983 it was apparent that his second reign was coming to an end.
As his approval numbers fell in Canada, Trudeau increasingly turned to the world stage for redemption. He reveled in participation in global economic summits, following Canada’s invitation to join the G7 league of western economic powers. He was also well known on the “disco” circuit, gaining a reputation as somewhat of a world wise playboy—an image he did little to dispel!
Reagan and Trudeau: hardly alike and little warmth between them
Trudeau was an interlocutor with Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Jimmy Carter, holding degrees from Harvard and the London School of Economics. No surprise then that when Ronald Reagan, possessing only a degree from little-known Eureka College, where he played football, became President, the two North American leaders hardly “hit if off”. From day one, the two agreed on very little. Trudeau opposed U.S. policy in Central America, resisted American investment in the Canadian economy, promoted détente with the Soviet Union, and was aghast at Reagan’s “Star Wars” program–the Strategic Defense Initiative.
Not sure what the event was, but this photo certainly captures the strained relationship between Trudeau and Reagan
The low point for U.S.-Canadian relations came in late 1983. As Trudeau’s poll numbers sank, he sought validation in the international arena, primarily by positioning himself as a “neutral” arbiter between Washington and Moscow. The PM launched an international peace initiative that fall that fell on deaf ears, especially in the Reagan administration.
Undaunted, Trudeau asked for a meeting with President Reagan in December of 1983 to tout his “global peace initiative”. Reagan accepted, without enthusiasm, and invited the PM to Washington. I prepared the President’s “package” for that session and was present at the discussion, from the private conversation in the Oval Office to the larger gathering in the “Cabinet Room”.
The manner of dress of the leaders of the U.S. and Canada underscores their very different policy and personal lifestyles
To say this meeting was a painful experience for the President and his advisors would be a gross understatement–you can see that by this photo taken in the Rose Garden following the session.
Do any of us in the U.S. delegation look particularly happy??? Note the pained expressions as Trudeau talked about the merits of his “peace initiative” on the faces of, from the left, myself, the President, National Security Advisor Bud McFarlane, US Ambassador to Canada Paul Robinson, and Secretaries Cap Weinberger and George Shultz. Bad day!
Trudeau Resigns, Replaced by Brian Mulroney
But the sun came out a few months later when Trudeau finally called elections and was bounced from office. And who replaced Pierre? Brian Mulroney, another Irishman, a conservative, a very good singer and most importantly, a Prime Minister who wanted first and foremost a strong relationship with the United States.
Needless to say, not long after that election, President Reagan invited new Prime Minister Mulroney to Washington. The “summit” went extremely well! How good? Just look at this photo following Mulroney’s sessions with the President—note especially the expressions on the faces of Robinson, Weinberger, the new National Security Advisor John Poindexter, and myself.
Well, there were ups and downs with the relationship with Mulroney as well, although mainly ups, but let’s save that for another day! For now let’s just hope that Julian Trudeau is another Brian Mulroney….and not Pierre!
Looking ahead: Trudeau and Obama
Unlike the prickly relationship President Obama has had with conservative PM Stephen Harper, Justin Trudeau and Barack Obama will very likely hit if off personally when they get together, a Summit that will take place very soon. The change in Ottawa will be welcomed in the White House, much as it was in 1984, albeit then a conservative replaced the liberal. Harper was a frequent thorn in the Obama administration’s side and seemed much closer to Congressional Republicans than he was to the White House
Indeed, Justin Trudeau will be a welcome change from the dour and frequently belligerent Harper. Justin is described as optimistic, upbeat and energetic. Obama and young Trudeau share some political and personal characteristics—both preside over center-left parties and both bring strong commitments to the environment, an active life style, and a background in community organizing. But Justin’s experience is a bit more diverse—he worked as a bouncer, snowboard instructor, schoolteacher and as an advocate for avalanche safety—and is an accomplished dancer. As TIME Magazine observed, “The U.S.-Canada conversation is about to get a lot friendlier”!
Justin Trudeau carves through a gate during a celebrity slalom race in Mont Tremblant, Que. Friday, Dec. 12, 2003. Trudeau worked as snowboard instructor
With respect to policy, there will be differences. Justin Trudeau announced that Canada would not be participating in the future in coalition air strikes in Syria and will withdraw from the troubled J-35 Strike Fighter program. He has reservations about the Keystone pipeline (but hasn’t officially opposed it), and will promote deficit spending to jumpstart the Canadian economy. That is the key difference with the Harper administration–Trudeau’s victory represents a clear break from the Conservative obsession with balanced budgets and “austerity orthodoxy”; instead he will push through massive government spending bills to kick start the moribund economy. The projected deficits represent to his Liberal party a minor concern dwarfed by the need to create jobs and stimulate the economy.
Think we’ve seen this play before!
- Tyrus W. Cobb
Former Director of Soviet, European and Canadian Affairs at the
National Security Council under President Reagan.