U.S. president-elect Donald Trump is quickly building out his cabinet, and some of his most high-profile nominees will become key figures in the Canada-U.S. relationship if confirmed.
The next secretaries of state, homeland security and defence will be tasked with advancing the Trump administration’s interests abroad and will be the ones pressing Canada to align with U.S. stances on foreign policy, immigration and military spending, among other issues.
Most of the nominees Trump has announced so far are current or former Republican lawmakers in Congress and governors, who have been among his most staunch defenders. Analysts say that shows Trump is prioritizing loyalty and the ability to navigate the legislative process above all else.
“Donald Trump’s choices so far signal he is serious about pursuing the policies he campaigned on,” Matthew Lebo, a political science professor at Western University, told Global News in an email.
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All of Trump’s nominees will need U.S. …