Donald Trump recounted the terrifying moment he realized he was struck by a bullet in his first public speech since an attempted assassination, telling party faithful at the Republican National Convention that his resolve has never been stronger.
B次元官网网址淚 said to myself, B次元官网网址榃ow, what was that? It can only be a bullet,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� Trump said as Republicans cheered and wiped tears from their eyes during the former presidentB次元官网网址檚 closing speech at the four-day convention in Milwaukee Thursday.
Some world leaders have expressed concern over the looming possibility Trump will return to the White House, as President Joe Biden stepped back from campaigning after testing positive for COVID-19 this week at a critical time for the Democrats.
Speculation about BidenB次元官网网址檚 future and mental acuity have been swirling following a disastrous debate performance against Trump last month and multiple missteps at the NATO leadersB次元官网网址� summit in Washington last week.
Matthew Lebo, a specialist in U.S. politics at Western University in London, Ont., said Trump can be erratic, and global leaders are worried they canB次元官网网址檛 rely on stability from the U.S.
Trump said America has been taken advantage of by other countries. He said some call themselves allies and pointed to the North American Free Trade Agreement, which was forced into renegotiation during the first Trump administration. The outcome of that negotiation, called the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, is up for review in 2026.
Ahead of TrumpB次元官网网址檚 speech, CanadaB次元官网网址檚 ambassador to the United States was urging Canadians to talk to Americans about the countriesB次元官网网址� important relationship.
B次元官网网址淚f you are at the lake this summer with some American neighbours, just take a moment to remind yourselves and themselves how lucky we are to have each other as neighbours,B次元官网网址� said Kirsten Hillman, who was attending the convention.
B次元官网网址淎nd how much prosperity and security we get out of it.B次元官网网址�
Trump has mused about higher duties on foreign goods, suggesting a blanket 10 per cent tariff on nearly all imports.
In an interview, Hillman said the United States is a B次元官网网址渘oisy ecosystem,B次元官网网址� and it takes a lot of work to ensure information about the Canadian relationship gets through.
Hillman said she has met with senators, representatives in Congress and members of TrumpB次元官网网址檚 previous administration at the convention.
B次元官网网址淔undamentally, Americans who are elected to represent their people want to make sure that they are prosperous, that they are safe, that they have a future, that their children have a future B次元官网网址� and their relationship with Canada is a real contributor to those goals.B次元官网网址�
Trump, with a white bandage on his right ear, formally accepted the Republican presidential nomination as he stood on a stage in front of a mock-up of the White House.
He took a more introspective tone, reflecting on the moment he almost lost his life at the rally in Pennsylvania Saturday. He also rallied supporters against Democrats, saying theyB次元官网网址檝e been conducting partisan witch hunts and denouncing the current administrationB次元官网网址檚 record.
Republican Ed Schlesser said he feels like Trump has shown a more tempered side to his leadership since the shooting.
B次元官网网址淗e really wants to do it for the whole United States and the world,B次元官网网址� said Schlesser, wearing a red Trump shirt.
Following the shooting, the former president called for unity. Lebo said any sense of oneness across party lines quickly disappeared from convention speakersB次元官网网址� talking points as the rhetoric became increasingly adversarial.
B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 not Donald Trump. ThatB次元官网网址檚 not the party platform. ThatB次元官网网址檚 not the party right now,B次元官网网址� he said of the conciliatory tone.
Trump called the U.S. a nation in decline, pointing to illegal immigration and foreign policy under the Democrats.
B次元官网网址淯nder our leadership, the United States will be respected again,B次元官网网址� Trump told the crowd to cheers.
TrumpB次元官网网址檚 comments likely did little to quell global concerns about AmericaB次元官网网址檚 role in the world, which were already heightened by TrumpB次元官网网址檚 choice for running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance.
Vance will just B次元官网网址渢oot TrumpB次元官网网址檚 horn,B次元官网网址� Lebo said.
The vice-presidential nominee has been a vocal opponent of U.S. military aid to Ukraine as it fends off RussiaB次元官网网址檚 invasion. In addition, Trump has repeatedly said he would not defend NATO members that donB次元官网网址檛 meet defence spending targets.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has promised to meet NATOB次元官网网址檚 target, the equivalent of two per cent of gross domestic product, by 2032. But he has been criticized for the lengthy timeline and the lack of detail on how Ottawa will make it happen.
Several premiers have urged Canada to meet the NATO spending target, stressing a need to preserve bilateral relations.
B次元官网网址淔or Canada and its relationship with the United States B次元官网网址� we are significant trading partners B次元官网网址� we want them to respect us fully, in all aspects, including our ability to honour obligations,B次元官网网址� said Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston at the Council of the Federation meeting this week in Halifax.
Vince, who did not want to give his last name, travelled from Illinois to the convention to show his support for the Republican leader. He thinks Trump recognizes the special relationship with Canada.
B次元官网网址淲e are neighbours,B次元官网网址� Vince said.
B次元官网网址淵ou wouldnB次元官网网址檛 know if there wasnB次元官网网址檛 borders, you would never know what side of the border youB次元官网网址檙e on. WeB次元官网网址檙e all the same.B次元官网网址�
READ ALSO:
