American politics expert says Canada must get ready for Trump presidency

Recognized as one of Canada’s leading experts in American politics, US foreign policy, interest groups and think tanks, Donald Abelson says, “Donald Trump is rude, offensive, obnoxious, and according to Hillary Clinton, ‘temperamentally unfit’ to be president of the United States.”

But as the presumptive nominee of the Republican Party, Donald Trump could conceivably secure the keys to the White House in November. What can Canada do to prepare for a Trump presidency?

Abelson, Professor and Chair of Western’s Department of Political Science and Director of the Canada-US Institute, says, “The Canadian government cannot afford to simply cross its fingers hoping for a [Hillary] Clinton victory, but must nurture the kind of alliances with officials in the US and with leaders in non-governmental organizations on both sides of the Canada-US border to deal with the ramifications of a Trump presidency.”

Abelson can be reached directly at dabelson@uwo.ca or via Jeff Renaud, Western’s Senior Media Relations Officer at 519-661-2111, ext. 85165 or jrenaud9@uwo.ca

His new book “Northern Lights: Exploring Canada’s Think Tank Landscape” will be published by McGill-Queen’s University Press this fall. Media copies are available now by request.

Commentary reflects the perspective and scholarly interest of Western faculty members and is not an articulation of official university policy on issues being addressed.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jeff Renaud, Senior Media Relations Officer, 519-661-2111, ext. 85165, jrenaud9@uwo.ca, @jeffrenaud99

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