The Ultimate Power Play

Justin Trudeau as Ambassador to the United States

In the annals of Canada-U.S. relations, few appointments could be as audacious, or as consequential, as naming Justin Trudeau the next Ambassador to the United States. As Prime Minister, Trudeau built an international profile that extended far beyond Ottawa, branding himself as a globalist counterweight to rising populism, a champion of progressive values, and a defender of multilateralism. While his time at the helm of Canadian politics may be drawing to a close, his utility as a statesman is far from exhausted.

I hesitate to assume that he would want to continue in service, when that has brought so much devastation and damage to him personally, at the hands of Russian backed Harper Conservatives and their rage puppet.

But it's the right play. :)

For the next Canadian government, appointing Trudeau as ambassador would be a masterstroke, ensuring that Canada’s interests in Washington are represented not just with the standard diplomatic decorum, but with a megaphone powerful enough to shape U.S. policies, challenge American nationalism, and fortify Canada’s position on the world stage.

This would not be a quiet, backroom diplomatic role. It would be a strategic offensive maneuver, positioning Canada as a formidable player in global politics rather than a passive participant in America’s decisions. In an era where the U.S. is increasingly turning inward, Canada must ensure its voice is not just heard but impossible to ignore.

Trudeau makes Trump whimper and whine.

America is weakness, personified.

Justin is resilience, grace, and power.

A Former Leader, Not Just an Ambassador

Traditionally, ambassadors are career diplomats or political allies appointed as a courtesy. Trudeau would be something entirely different, a former head of government with direct experience negotiating with Washington at the highest levels, a personal Rolodex that includes world leaders, and a reputation that commands media attention.

His status alone would transform the role from a diplomatic posting into a geopolitical force multiplier. Unlike traditional ambassadors, Trudeau wouldn’t need to knock on doors in Washington, his name alone would open them.

• He already knows the players: Having worked directly with U.S. Presidents, senators, governors, and corporate leaders, Trudeau would not be treated as a mere envoy, he would be a policymaker in his own right, an unofficial cabinet-level voice at the table.
• He understands the stakes: Trudeau personally negotiated the NAFTA/USMCA deal, navigated U.S. tariffs, and managed tensions with both Trump and Biden. His firsthand experience in trade, security, and environmental agreements would make him the most prepared Canadian ambassador in modern history.
• He is a known quantity: Trudeau’s presence in Washington would be impossible for any administration to sideline. Love him or hate him, he has a brand that forces engagement. They hate him. That's power.

Weaponizing Soft Power Against Washington

Canada has long been the quiet neighbour, content to maneuver around the edges of U.S. policy rather than confronting it directly. That approach is no longer sufficient. The stakes for Canada in this century, economic sovereignty, technological leadership, energy independence, and environmental stability, require a more assertive posture toward the United States.

An Ambassador Trudeau would shift the game entirely.

1. Mobilizing U.S. Progressives and Industry Leaders
   • With the Republican right leaning increasingly nationalist and isolationist, Canada must hedge its bets. Trudeau is uniquely positioned to rally Democratic governors, major U.S. corporations, and liberal think tanks around shared trade and climate interests.
   • His relationships with figures like California Governor Gavin Newsom, New York leaders, and climate-focused billionaires would enable him to circumvent Congress and the White House when necessary, directly engaging the power centres of U.S. economic influence.
2. Playing Hardball on Trade and Energy
   • Canada supplies nearly 40% of U.S. crude oil and is America’s largest trading partner, yet it is frequently subjected to protectionist policies and tariffs. Trudeau as ambassador would not be a polite advocate, he would be a high-profile enforcer of Canada’s trade rights, leveraging both public opinion and direct negotiations to push back against unfair U.S. policies.
   • He could galvanize American industries that rely on Canadian resources, automotive, agriculture, energy, to push back against protectionist U.S. lawmakers.
3. Challenging U.S. Populism on the World Stage
   • If Trump or another America-first leader continues this path, Canada will need an aggressive counterbalance to isolationist and anti-democratic policies. Trudeau would be the ideal public face of that resistance, using his global profile to rally European and international leaders against regressive U.S. moves.
   • Trudeau’s ability to align with allies like France’s Macron and Germany’s Scholz to present a united front against U.S. extremism would make him more than just an ambassador, he would be a geopolitical strategist for the democratic world.

Trudeau as the Ultimate Washington Insider, For Canada’s Benefit

Beyond his ability to counterbalance U.S. policies, Trudeau’s presence in Washington would yield massive advantages for Canada in terms of:

• Technology and AI Diplomacy – With U.S.-Canada cooperation in AI and digital governance growing, Trudeau’s ties to Silicon Valley and his work on global AI regulations make him the ideal Canadian voice in shaping North America’s technological future.
• Military and Security Relations – As tensions rise with China and Russia, Trudeau could push for separation from NORAD and Canadian modernization, stronger defence autonomy, and a rebalancing of NATO commitments that better serve Canada’s interests.
• Environmental and Energy Policy – With climate policy deeply divisive in the U.S., Trudeau’s ability to engage directly with pro-climate governors, CEOs, and lobbyists could shift the balance of influence away from fossil fuel-driven U.S. legislators.

A Tactical Appointment That Reshapes Canada’s Global Role

This would not be a safe, conventional appointment. It would be a bold, high-risk, high-reward move that declares Canada as an active, unapologetic force in world affairs. It would send a clear message: Canada doesn't react to U.S. decisions, it influences them.

For the next Prime Minister, the decision to send Trudeau to Washington would be a defining act of strategic statecraft, harnessing his global influence while removing him from domestic partisan battles.

The question is not whether Trudeau should play a role in Canada’s future, it's whether Canada is prepared to fully leverage his capabilities on the world stage.

By making him Ambassador to the United States, Canada would turn its most recognizable global figure into a direct instrument of policy, an architect of influence, and a bulwark against U.S. overreach.

This is not just about diplomacy.

It's about ensuring that Canada is not merely a neighbour to the United States, but a force that shapes its future.

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Thanks!

B

Proconsul 🇨🇦 (@proconsul.bsky.social)

Visionary Strategic Growth A guide for ambition, bridging strategy with implementation for modern business: clarity, structure, and sustainable impact. I listen. If it’s possible, I’ll show you how. proconsul.ghost.io

Bluesky Social

The next Canadian Prime Minister should appoint Justin Trudeau as Ambassador to the United States. Not as a diplomat, but as a weapon. A former head of state with direct access to Washington’s power brokers. Too big to ignore, too experienced to sideline. A strategic counterweight to American nationalism.

PS -