--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As prime minister, Canadians expect me to…" description: "\"As prime minister, Canadians expect me to do two things: To stand up for Canadian interests and project Canadian values; and to have a good, constructi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c60/justin-trudeau-1727_canadian_as-prime-minister-canadians-expect-me-to_719179.jpg" --- # As prime minister, Canadians expect me to do two things… ![“As prime minister, Canadians expect me to do two things: To stand up for Canadian interests and project Canadian values; and to have a good, constructive relationship with our largest trading partner and closest neighbor, the United States. Those two things are not incompatible. It requires a very…” quote by Justin Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c60/justin-trudeau-1727_canadian_as-prime-minister-canadians-expect-me-to_719179.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c60/justin-trudeau-1727_canadian_as-prime-minister-canadians-expect-me-to_719179.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c60/justin-trudeau-1727_canadian_as-prime-minister-canadians-expect-me-to_719179.jpg) > “As prime minister, Canadians expect me to do two things: To stand up for Canadian interests and project Canadian values; and to have a good, constructive relationship with our largest trading partner and closest neighbor, the United States. Those two things are not incompatible. It requires a very deliberate strategy and approach, but I think we've done that.” [Justin Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-trudeau/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Balancing national interests with strong ties to the U.S. requires deliberate strategy and cooperation. **In simple terms:** Canada must protect its values while maintaining a good U.S. relationship. Key Takeaway Pursue both sovereignty and partnership. Themes diplomacy national identity trade leadership Mood pragmatic optimistic determined Type political strategic When to use this quote - policy negotiations - trade talks - public statements - international forums Key Concepts strategic planning soft power interdependence Questions to Reflect On - How can Canada keep its values distinct while cooperating closely? - What risks arise from over‑dependence on a neighbor? A Different Perspective Balancing act can strain resources and public opinion. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [Neighbor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/neighbor/) [Prime minister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prime-minister/) [Strategy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strategy/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Trading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trading/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) ## Related quotes > [In regards to the United States, Canadians expect me to stand up for our values and defend our interests and to have a constructive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-trudeau/in-regards-to-the-united-states-canadians-expect-me-to-stand-up-for/) [Justin Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-trudeau/) > [The fact is we're always going to be interwoven with the American economy, and that's why it's important to have a good, strong, constructive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-trudeau/the-fact-is-we-re-always-going-to-be-interwoven-with-the-american/) [Justin Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-trudeau/) > [A person that wants to come to our country must share our Canadian values.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxime-bernier/a-person-that-wants-to-come-to-our-country-must-share-our-canadian/) [Maxime Bernier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxime-bernier/) > [I see social mobility and equality of opportunity as really successful Canadian values.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chrystia-freeland/i-see-social-mobility-and-equality-of-opportunity-as-really/) [Chrystia Freeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chrystia-freeland/) > [We are very proud, wherever we are in the world, to tell you about Canadian values and what we think is the right thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chrystia-freeland/we-are-very-proud-wherever-we-are-in-the-world-to-tell-you-about/) [Chrystia Freeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chrystia-freeland/) > [Trudeau has to defend Canadian interests and values. But he has to do it in a way that doesn't say that Trump is stupid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-kergin/trudeau-has-to-defend-canadian-interests-and-values-but-he-has-to-do/) [Michael Kergin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-kergin/) > [A Lewis-led government will always stand up for Canadian farmers and our agriculture sector.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslyn-lewis/a-lewis-led-government-will-always-stand-up-for-canadian-farmers-and/) [Leslyn Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslyn-lewis/) > [You can be of any ethnic background or faith and be a Canadian if you share fundamental Canadian values, learn about our history and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxime-bernier/you-can-be-of-any-ethnic-background-or-faith-and-be-a-canadian-if-you/) [Maxime Bernier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxime-bernier/) > [The Northwest Passage is Canadian. People can't just abuse it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-trudeau/the-northwest-passage-is-canadian-people-can-t-just-abuse-it/) [Justin Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-trudeau/) > [You can't be Canadian without being aware of at least one other country, the United States, 'cause it's so important to us. I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-trudeau/you-can-t-be-canadian-without-being-aware-of-at-least-one-other/) [Justin Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-trudeau/) > [A Canadian on the ground in different parts of the world, whether they're a diplomat, an aid worker, or a soldier, has an extraordinary,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-trudeau/a-canadian-on-the-ground-in-different-parts-of-the-world-whether-they/) [Justin Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-trudeau/) > [Since taking office, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party have transformed the Temporary Foreign Worker Program - which was originally designed to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-trudeau/since-taking-office-prime-minister-stephen-harper-and-the/) [Justin Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-trudeau/) > [Anytime I meet people who got to make the deliberate choice, whose parents chose Canada, I'm jealous. Because I think being able to choose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-trudeau/anytime-i-meet-people-who-got-to-make-the-deliberate-choice-whose/) [Justin Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-trudeau/) > [One of the fundamental responsibilities of any Canadian prime minister is to get our resources to market.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-trudeau/one-of-the-fundamental-responsibilities-of-any-canadian-prime/) [Justin Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-trudeau/) > [A Canadian is a Canadian is a Canadian. And you devalue the citizenship of every Canadian in this place and in this country when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-trudeau/a-canadian-is-a-canadian-is-a-canadian-and-you-devalue-the/) [Justin Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-trudeau/) ## More by Justin Trudeau > [I think Canadians want to get a feel for the people who will serve them... and, for me, I think that Canadians will trust…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-trudeau/i-think-canadians-want-to-get-a-feel-for-the-people-who-will-serve/) [Justin Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-trudeau/) > [Angela Merkel has been focused on the right things. She has focused on the interests of her citizens - and not just in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-trudeau/angela-merkel-has-been-focused-on-the-right-things-she-has-focused-on/) [Justin Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-trudeau/) > [It's important that people understand who I am and where I come from and not just have it shaped by purely political discourse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-trudeau/it-s-important-that-people-understand-who-i-am-and-where-i-come-from/) [Justin Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-trudeau/) > [If Rob Ford decided he wanted to run for the Liberal Party in 2015, we'd say, 'No, sorry, the way you approach things, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-trudeau/if-rob-ford-decided-he-wanted-to-run-for-the-liberal-party-in-2015-we/) [Justin Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-trudeau/) > [Canadians want to elect good people to be their voice in Ottawa.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-trudeau/canadians-want-to-elect-good-people-to-be-their-voice-in-ottawa/) [Justin Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-trudeau/) > [I think Canadians are tired of politicians that are spun and scripted within an inch of their life, people who are too afraid of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-trudeau/i-think-canadians-are-tired-of-politicians-that-are-spun-and-scripted/) [Justin Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-trudeau/) > [I don't feel that I or Canada has to prove anything through big, loud, overt acts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-trudeau/i-don-t-feel-that-i-or-canada-has-to-prove-anything-through-big-loud/) [Justin Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-trudeau/) > [We should have a good working friendship with the United States.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-trudeau/we-should-have-a-good-working-friendship-with-the-united-states/) [Justin Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-trudeau/) > [We went through a long phase where we defined ourselves in opposition to other people and other countries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-trudeau/we-went-through-a-long-phase-where-we-defined-ourselves-in-opposition/) [Justin Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-trudeau/) > [One of the jokes among our family was that whenever Dad went to the movies, he insisted on getting his senior citizen's discount. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-trudeau/one-of-the-jokes-among-our-family-was-that-whenever-dad-went-to-the/) [Justin Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-trudeau/) > [At one point, people are going to have to realize that maybe I know what I'm doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-trudeau/at-one-point-people-are-going-to-have-to-realize-that-maybe-i-know/) [Justin Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-trudeau/) > [Canada has no closer friend, partner, and ally than the United States. We look forward to working very closely with President-elect Trump, his administration,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-trudeau/canada-has-no-closer-friend-partner-and-ally-than-the-united-states/) [Justin Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-trudeau/) > [Any time you have a competitive situation like politics is, there are winners, and there are people who don't win, and their supporters can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-trudeau/any-time-you-have-a-competitive-situation-like-politics-is-there-are/) [Justin Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-trudeau/) > [Canada's extraordinary success is that we have bound together a vast country with a set of shared ideas and beliefs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-trudeau/canada-s-extraordinary-success-is-that-we-have-bound-together-a-vast/) [Justin Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-trudeau/) > [I think Canadians have always been interested in the choices Americans make because the choices you make inevitably impact upon us... and how we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-trudeau/i-think-canadians-have-always-been-interested-in-the-choices/) [Justin Trudeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-trudeau/) [Explore all 212 Justin Trudeau quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-trudeau/) ## More Canadian quotes > [I definitely see this team, the Canadian national team, definitely fighting for a spot in the 2022 World Cup.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alphonso-davies/i-definitely-see-this-team-the-canadian-national-team-definitely/) [Alphonso Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alphonso-davies/) > [Purchasing items made in the U.S. for our stores here or Canadian goods for our stores in Canada makes good business sense because it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-mcmillon/purchasing-items-made-in-the-u-s-for-our-stores-here-or-canadian/) [Doug McMillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-mcmillon/) > [Some say there is no uniquely Canadian identity, that our multicultural fabric is too varied to establish a common thread. I disagree. My grandfather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-kielburger/some-say-there-is-no-uniquely-canadian-identity-that-our/) [Craig Kielburger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-kielburger/) > [I'm a mix; I'm sure some of my Canadian friends find me very American, both in person and on the page.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-arthur/i-m-a-mix-i-m-sure-some-of-my-canadian-friends-find-me-very-american/) [James Arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-arthur/) > [I know a lot about Canadian politics. I lived in Canadian bars for six years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moriarty/i-know-a-lot-about-canadian-politics-i-lived-in-canadian-bars-for-six/) [Michael Moriarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moriarty/) > [“Strange, how in all those apocalyptic movies, when their society breaks down into lawlessness and anarchy, Canada is always the haven of safety, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenifer-mohammed/strange-how-in-all-those-apocalyptic-movies-when-their-society-breaks/) [Jenifer Mohammed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenifer-mohammed/) > [I like Ryan Gosling as an actor. I watch all of his movies, and he's Canadian and I just like his swag. I read…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drake/i-like-ryan-gosling-as-an-actor-i-watch-all-of-his-movies-and-he-s/) [Drake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drake/) > [In today's world, only one person in every 200 is Canadian.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-catley-carlson/in-today-s-world-only-one-person-in-every-200-is-canadian/) Margaret Catley-Carlson > [I'm a very, very proud Canadian, and having the privilege to represent my country on the international level was the highlight of my 18-year…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-henderson/i-m-a-very-very-proud-canadian-and-having-the-privilege-to-represent/) [Paul Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-henderson/) > [Canadian writers don't live in gated mansions; you can just talk to them when you see them lining up at the Second Cup.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-smith/canadian-writers-don-t-live-in-gated-mansions-you-can-just-talk-to/) [Russell Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-smith/) > [In a world darkened by ethnic conflicts that tear nations apart, Canada stands as a model of how people of different cultures can live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-clinton/in-a-world-darkened-by-ethnic-conflicts-that-tear-nations-apart/) [Bill Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-clinton/) > [When I was a child I liked watching shows about bounty hunters and Canadian Mounties. I liked the 'Lone Ranger,' I liked shows where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duane-chapman/when-i-was-a-child-i-liked-watching-shows-about-bounty-hunters-and/) [Duane Chapman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/duane-chapman/) > [The core of who I am is Canadian.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvin-leung/the-core-of-who-i-am-is-canadian/) [Alvin Leung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvin-leung/) > [I think Canadian talent is exceptional. You continually show us up here in the States with your brilliancy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-farr/i-think-canadian-talent-is-exceptional-you-continually-show-us-up/) [Jamie Farr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-farr/) > [I would never want to deny my Mennonite background and culture; I'll always feel like and be identified as a Mennonite and therefore possess…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miriam-toews/i-would-never-want-to-deny-my-mennonite-background-and-culture-i-ll/) [Miriam Toews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miriam-toews/) Browse all 410 Canadian quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "As prime minister, Canadians expect me to do two things: To stand up for Canadian interests and project Canadian values; and to have a good, constructive relationship with our largest trading partner and closest neighbor, the United States. Those two things are not incompatible. 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