“Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and 10 horns, and on his horns 10 crowns, and on his head a blasphemous name…” – The Book of Revelations.
Although some people may want to believe it, no, Donald Trump is not the Antichrist. There is still, however, much concern throughout the U.S., Canada and around the globe as to what sort of impact the unlikely candidate will have when officially sworn in Jan. 20 as the 45th President of the United States.
As the entire world knows, Trump, representing the Republican Party, was successful in his presidential bid Nov. 8 when he gained more electoral college votes than Democrat Hillary Clinton. The win caught the country by surprise, as pre-election polls suggested an easy win for Clinton thanks in part to the controversy that arose during the lengthy campaign when Trump made several far from politically correct statements about minorities, women and immigrants, in addition to his views on both domestic and foreign policy, and the steps he would take to “Make America Great Again.”
North of the border, the reaction from Canadians to Trump’s win has ranged from indifference to outright dread, particularly in terms of what his tenure in the White House will mean for the global economy.
In Saskatchewan, however, it’s reassuring to know Premier Brad Wall and the provincial government as a whole have a little more confidence in the president-elect’s ability to do a good job. As a proponent of extending the Keystone pipeline (and with Republicans holding the majority of seats in the House and the Senate), it’s likely Keystone XL – an expansion to the project vetoed last year by President Barack Obama – could soon become a reality. This, according to Meadow Lake MLA Jeremy Harrison, could lead to more jobs in Saskatchewan and serve as a real boost for the province’s energy sector. In terms of trade, Trump has said he plans to renegotiate the North American Freed Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to better protect the interests of Americans, but how this could potentially impact Canada remains to be seen.
Indeed, much of what Trump has said remains to be seen. However, where much of the uncertainty lies is with those who take his words at face value while dismissing the fact politicians tend to over-promise while campaigning and under-deliver while in office. Trump is not a politician, but, as an accomplished businessman, he knows a thing or two about speaking his mind if it helps him get to the top. Also, his association with the world of entertainment has likely imbued him with even more of a flair for the dramatic.
During the campaign, Trump played to these strengths, stayed in character and convinced enough people to buy what he was selling. He’s come this far. Let’s hope he puts the gimmicks away and gets down to real business. The world is watching.