Canada to hold an unusual inauguration day party in Washington

Some Donald Trump fans stopped to snap photos of an unexpected sight during their inauguration jaunt through downtown Washington, D.C. The sight that caught their attention was a sign atop the Canadian Embassy, flanked by enormous maple leaf flags off Pennsylvania Avenue. “Canada congratulates Donald Trump,” one fan exclaimed, while another jokingly asked, “Think Justin Trudeau’s up there?”

As more than 1,500 people are expected to attend Canada’s quadrennial inauguration day party on Monday, this year’s event is set to be a unique one. The absence of a parade on Pennsylvania Avenue due to inclement weather is just one of the reasons this party will be atypical. It’s also the first time since the Canadian Embassy opened at its prime location by Capitol Hill in 1989 that there will be no formal festivities to witness live.

The main focus of this year’s party will be the anticipation of potentially damaging executive orders threatened by the star of the day, Donald Trump. There are numerous rumors about what economic penalties Trump might impose on Canada, ranging from a small tariff to a full 25% tariff. Canada’s ambassador to the United States, Kirsten Hillman, stated that most people expect some form of tariff action from the Trump administration, but the exact details remain unclear.

Trump’s team briefed Republican allies on Capitol Hill on the executive orders coming the next day, with trade being a topic of discussion. However, Trump did not mention tariffs much during his speeches leading up to the inauguration. At a rally on the eve of the event, he talked more about aggressive deportations and border actions than trade policies.

The return of Trump is a historic moment for Canada-U.S. relations, with the incoming president posing the most hostile trade actions in over 90 years. Asa McKercher, a scholar at St. Francis Xavier University, stated that Trump’s threats are reminiscent of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff during the Great Depression. Trump’s willingness to poke at friendly nations, including semi-serious jokes about annexing Canada, is unprecedented in modern history.

One Canadian business leader, Goldy Hyder, urged caution and focusing on strengthening Canada’s economic policies to create leverage with Trump. He emphasized the importance of not launching retaliatory actions that could backfire on Canada. Despite the looming threats, guests will still gather for a party at the Canadian Embassy, with provincial leaders, federal cabinet members, and U.S. politicians and business groups in attendance.

The cost of the affair is being offset by corporate sponsors, with snacks, including beaver tails, being served. McKercher stated that proceeding with the event is in the national interest and the right thing to do, even in the face of unusual threats. “It’s kind of weird,” he said of the circumstances surrounding the party, “but diplomats kind of live in a weird world.”