Trump is ‘a showman before he's a statesman': former PM Joe Clark on annexation threats
Former Conservative Prime Minister Joe Clark discusses the current political landscape at a conference hosted by the University of Calgary in Calgary, Thursday, June 12, 2025.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Amid the ongoing trade war between the U.S. and Canada, Canadians should bear in mind that U.S. President Donald Trump is 'a showman before he's a statesman,' former prime minister Joe Clark says.
The leaders of the world's most advanced economies are descending on Kananaskis, Alta. for the G7 summit this week, with Trump expected to attend.
Ahead of the gathering in Alberta, CTV Question Period host Vassy Kapelos asked Clark what's been going through his mind in recent months as Trump has levied sweeping tariffs and frequently threatened to annex Canada.
'He is a showman before he's a statesman, and we have to bear that in mind,' Clark said, in an interview airing Sunday. 'There's some degree to that in everyone in public office. You can't ignore your media when you're conducting public policy, now.'
'But his inclination as a quite unique kind of showman is to make his own impact rather than find agreement,' Clark added. 'That's very difficult to deal with, but it's not impossible.'
Trump launched his trade war in February, implementing a slate of tariffs on Canadian goods and threatened to use 'economic force' to make Canada the 51st state.
'One of the questions I think all of us are asking regarding the United States is, who else is there around him who might be a restraining influence,' Clark said.
While sources have told CTV News there has been substantial progress on a bilateral pact between Canada and the U.S., they also say Trump's own temperamental nature, plus recent domestic pressures — such as the protests in Los Angeles, Calif. and the president's feud with billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk — are making any certainty around a timeline even more unpredictable.
Asked about his expectations for the summit and any potential bilateral confabs taking place between Trump and Prime Minister Mark Carney, Clark said the latter's strength is finding the right time to make his case to the president.
He also said it's 'always essential' for the leaders to have time away from the cameras for private discussions.
'One of the unusual factors of this summit with President Trump is that probably much more of the effective work will be done, in effect, off camera and away from some of the formal proceedings,' Clark said. 'And I know that the proceedings are not themselves broadcast live, but nonetheless, there is a performance aspect to his approach to public life that is now not as productive as a quieter approach might be.'
Clark served as prime minister from 1979 to 1980, and Secretary of State for External Affairs, which is now Foreign Affairs, from 1984 to 1991 under former prime minister Brian Mulroney.
You can watch former prime minister Joe Clark's full interview on CTV Question Period Sunday at 11 a.m. ET
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Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors The Republican president, on his 79th birthday, sat on a special viewing stand south of the White House to watch the display of American military might, which began early and moved swiftly as light rain fell and clouds shrouded the Washington Monument. The procession, with more than 6,000 soldiers and 128 Army tanks, was one Trump tried to make happen in his first term after seeing such an event in Paris in 2017, but the plans never came together until the parade was added to an event recognizing the Army's 250th anniversary. 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There were large gaps between viewers near the Washington Monument on a day when steamy weather and the threat of thunderstorms could have dampened turnout. President Donald Trump, centre, salutes as he attends a military parade commemorating the Army's 250th anniversary, coinciding with his 79th birthday, Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Washington. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, left, and First Lady Melania Trump look on. Photo by Julia Demaree Nikhinson / AP Hours before the parade started, demonstrators turned out in streets and parks around the nation to sound off against the Republican president. They criticized Trump for using the military to respond to people protesting his deportation efforts and for the muscular military show in the U.S. capital. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Displays of military might The daylong display of America's Army came as Trump has shown his willingness to use the nation's military might in ways other U.S. presidents have typically avoided. In the last week, he has activated the California National Guard over the governor's objections and dispatched the U.S. Marines to provide security during Los Angeles protests related to immigration raids, prompting a state lawsuit to stop the deployments. As armoured vehicles rolled down the street in front of the president, on the other side of the country, the Marines who Trump deployed to Los Angeles appeared at a demonstration for the first time, standing guard outside a federal building. Dozens of Marines stood shoulder to shoulder in full combat gear beside the National Guard, Homeland Security officers and other law enforcement. Hundreds of protesters facing them jeered in English and Spanish, telling the troops to go home. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. An M4 Sherman rolls past during the Army's 250th Anniversary Parade in Washington. Photo by AMID FARAHI / AFP via Getty Images A previously calm demonstration in downtown Los Angeles turned chaotic when police on horseback charged at the crowd, striking some with rods and batons as they cleared the street in front of the federal building and fired tear gas and crowd control projectiles. In Washington, hundreds protesting Trump carried signs with messages that included 'Where's the due process?' and 'No to Trump's fascist military parade' as they marched toward the White House. A larger-than-life puppet of Trump was wheeled through the crowd, a caricature of the president wearing a crown and sitting on a golden toilet. Other protesters waved pride flags and hoisted signs, some with pointed messages such as 'I prefer crushed ICE,' referring to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. Other messages included 'The invasion was HERE Jan. 6th, NOT in L.A.' and 'Flip me off if you're a FASCIST.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'No Kings' rallies unfolded in hundreds of cities, designed to counter what organizers said were Trump's plans to feed his ego on his 79th birthday and Flag Day. Organizers said they picked the name to support democracy and speak out against what they call the authoritarian actions of the Trump administration. Demonstrators take part in the 'No Kings' protest, Saturday in Portland, Ore. Photo by Jenny Kane / AP Veterans, supporters and protesters Meanwhile, on the National Mall, a display of armoured vehicles, helicopters and military-grade equipment was set up to commemorate the Army's birthday. Vendors outside the Army festival sold gear marking the military milestone. Others hawked Trump-themed merchandise. Larry Stallard, a retired American Airlines pilot, said he travelled to Washington from Kansas City for the weekend 'to see the military and see Trump.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Stallard, who voted for Trump, said it was 'hard to believe' people were upset about the cost of the event when 'they blow that in 10 seconds on things that we don't even need.' Doug Haynes, a Navy veteran who voted for Trump, attended the daylong festival to celebrate the Army's 250th birthday, but said the parade 'was a little over the top.' Pointing at a nearby tank, Haynes said that having them roll down the street is a 'very bold statement to the world, perhaps.' The parade was added just two months ago to the long-planned celebration of the Army's birthday and has drawn criticism for its price tag of up to $45 million and the possibility that the lumbering tanks could tear up city streets. The Army has taken a variety of steps to protect the streets, including laying metal plates along the route. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Members of the U.S. Army drive a Stryker infantry carrier vehicle. Photo by Andrew Leyden / Getty Images About 6 in 10 Americans said Saturday's parade was 'not a good use' of government money. The vast majority of people, 78 per cent said they neither approve nor disapprove of the parade overall, according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Kathy Straus travelled from Richmond, Virginia, to attend the parade, carrying a sign criticizing its cost and arguing the money could have been used to feed veterans. 'I thought that it would be more effective to come here than go to a protest with people that think similar to me,' said Straus. The parade wound down Constitution Avenue, lined with security fencing and barriers. A flyover of military aircraft included World War II-era planes, including a B-25 Mitchell bomber, and Army helicopters flew low over the crowd, below the top of the Washington Monument. Mounted soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division made an appearance — horses once played a crucial role in warfare, but today they're mostly used in ceremonial events like today's parade. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Trump swore in 250 new recruits and returning soldiers into service, with soldiers repeating an oath after him. 'Welcome to the United States Army! And have a great life,' Trump said to them afterward. Country music singer Warren Zeiders performed, as did 'God Bless the U.S.A.' singer Lee Greenwood. The event was capped off by a fireworks show. It appeared that plans to have U.S. Air Force fighter jets fly over were scrapped because of the weather. Fireworks burst over the Ellipse. Photo by Mark Schiefelbein / AP — Associated Press writers Eric Tucker, Michelle L. Price, Nathan Ellgren, Lea Skene, Olivia Diaz, Joey Cappelletti, Ashraf Khalil and Tara Copp in Washington and Jake Offenhartz in Los Angeles contributed to this report. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here. Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks Sports Sports News
