I'm a Canadian foreign policy expert. Donald Trump is a threat to my country's national security

[applegrove]

I'm a Canadian foreign policy expert. Donald Trump is a threat to my country's national security

Rex Brynen, Contributor, Business Insider

http://www.businessinsider.com/trump-danger-canadian-national-security-2016-11

"SNIP.............


It is sobering to think that, in less than a week, the United States may begin an ominous shift from Canada's closest and most important ally to one of our most serious national security challenges. For the first time in more than a century, when Canadians think of the country most likely to adversely affect their safety and well-being, their eyes may turn south.

This is not exaggerated partisan rhetoric. Donald Trump is hostile to NAFTA — the foundation of our current bilateral trading relationship — and equally critical of the broader international trade regime. Canada-US trade employs millions of people and is equal to almost 40% of Canadian GDP. A erratic, protectionist Trump Administration would put that economic relationship at risk.

Donald Trump has repeatedly questioned or attacked structures that Canada views as essential to international peace and security: the NATO military alliance, and UN and other multilateral institutions. He expresses support for Russian policies and perspectives, while placing in question the future reliability of Washington's commitments to US friends and allies. His campaign has been actively assisted by the Russian intelligence services. He openly favors nuclear proliferation. Trump's rampant and boastful Islamophobia seems likely to give ISIS and other radical jihadists a major boost, while complicating global counterterrorism efforts. The corrosive impact of all this on Western security could be devastating.

The bigotry unleashed by the Trump campaign also runs counter to the idea of multicultural toleration, something which—however much imperfectly and unevenly applied — lies at the heart of modern Canadian political values, and stands as a national interest in itself. It is hard to see how the election of an bullying xenophobe to the most powerful position in the world could have any effect other than to fan the flames of global bigotry.

Of course, if Donald Trump is elected, Canadian and other Western officials will outwardly act as if nothing much has changed. We will hope that the momentum of post-WWII cooperation will overcome the unpredictable narcissistic tantrums of the new US President. We will hope that institutional and political constraints will limit his worst impulses. We will try to encourage the US not to abandon its values and commitments, and sink into a morass of destructive nativism. We will hold our collective breath, and hope it all passes in four years—without global security or the economy imploding around us.


.............SNIP"

[RKP5637]

1. With Trump, the US will become a hostile nation to our friends and bordering countries. I sure

hope Hillary wins. Even if she does, I think the obnoxious Trump currents will continue. It's so damn pathetic.

[gordianot]

2. Close to half of all voting Americans are deplorable and willing to vote for Trump.

Canada may want their own southern wall. The United States is going to become a protection racket.

[avebury]

3. I would think that a lot of our allies would have a problem

with sharing intelligence information with a Trump government. Intelligence is an important part of the war or terror and the very sources that we have relied upon may very well dry up.

On the surface they may pretend that nothing has changed but I could see all the really important meetings taking place without the US. And I could not blame them for that. Countries that are leaning towards kicking our bases out of thei turf may become embolden to do so which would create vulnerabilities in areas like the Pacific.

[applegrove]

4. That could happen.