TORONTO — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday he has reestablished a special Cabinet committee on Canada-U.S. relations to address his administration’s concerns about another Donald Trump presidency.

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who is also the country’s finance minister, will chair the committee, which will also include other senior officials, including the ministers of foreign affairs, public security and industry.

“Following the election of President Donald Trump to a second term, the Cabinet Committee will focus on critical Canada-U.S. issues,” Trudeau’s office said in a statement Thursday.

Canada is one of the world’s most trade-dependent countries, and 75% of Canada’s exports go to the United States

Trump’s first move to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and his announcement that he was considering imposing a 25% tariff on the auto industry was seen as an existential threat in Canada at the time.

Trudeau called Trump on Wednesday to congratulate him, and the two discussed the new free trade agreement Trump reached with Canada and Mexico in his first term and the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which replaced NAFTA.

Although Trump once called Trudeau “weak” and “dishonest” During his first term, ties between the two countries remained among the closest in the world.

Freeland addressed reporters twice on Wednesday in an attempt to reassure Canadians.

“I know many Canadians are concerned. “I want to say to Canadians with complete sincerity and conviction that Canada will be absolutely fine,” Freeland said.

“We have a strong relationship with the United States. We have a strong relationship with President Trump and his team. Let’s remember that our trade relationship today is subject to the trade agreement signed by President Trump and his team,” Freeland said.

During the last election campaign, Trump suggested: 10% tariffs Rates of up to 20 percent are mentioned for foreign goods, and even higher rates are mentioned in some conversations.

Nelson Wiseman, a political science professor at the University of Toronto, said Canada should expect new tariffs and pressure to increase its military budget.

According to NATO figures, Canada is estimated to spend 1.33% of GDP on its military budget in 2023; This is below the 2% target that NATO countries have set for themselves. Trump has called on NATO countries to increase their own defense spending to ease the burden on the United States to deter the alliance’s enemies.

“I expect the free trade agreement to be changed somewhat in a non-dramatic way like it was during Trump’s first presidency,” Wiseman said.

“Tariffs will hurt the Canadian economy but will not cripple it. Canada has some cards to play in negotiations, including countervailing tariffs, concerns of American business leaders and Canada’s critical mineral stockpile.”

The Canadian government says the United States and Canada are each other’s largest trading partners, with approximately C$3.6 billion (US$2.7 billion) worth of goods and services crossing the border each day in 2023.

The ties between the two countries are unmatched anywhere in the world.

There is close cooperation on defense, border security and law enforcement, as well as great overlap in culture, traditions and entertainment, including joint baseball, hockey, basketball and football leagues. Approximately 400,000 people cross the world’s longest international border every day, and approximately 800,000 Canadians live in the United States

Robert Bothwell, a professor of Canadian history and international relations at the University of Toronto, said Canadians should be concerned about potential hasty actions on tariffs and trade.

Bothwell asks, “How would you feel if old Uncle Donald felt weird one morning and…oh, decided to do everything he just heard on Fox News?” he said.