Montrealers, international visitors react to Trump winning U.S. election
“Trump might give us some problems,” he said, describing Trump as “a troubled man” who, in his view, didn’t accomplish much in his previous term.
Several Montreal residents and visitors shared mixed reactions to Donald Trump’s election as the 47th U.S. president, with perspectives ranging from disappointment and concern to cautious optimism and amusement.
Gabriel, a Montreal resident, expressed disappointment over Trump’s victory, believing Kamala Harris to be a more qualified and sophisticated candidate. Gabriel is particularly concerned about Trump’s potential impact on Canada, especially in areas like immigration.
“Trump might give us some problems,” he said, describing Trump as “a troubled man” who, in his view, didn’t accomplish much in his previous term.
Samuel, another Montrealer, said he was pleased with Trump’s win, although he anticipates it may strain Canada-U.S. economic relations, especially in trade and oil. “He’s more conservative,” Samuel noted, suggesting Trump’s “America first” stance could limit trade between the two countries. Despite this, Samuel appreciates Trump’s entertaining persona.
James and Annette, a Canadian couple, see American politics as more of a spectacle and were both disappointed but unsurprised by Trump’s win. Annette remarked that while Harris’s campaign appealed strongly to younger voters, it might have put off some others. Both expect Trump’s policies on immigration to increase the number of people considering moving to Canada, though Annette is skeptical about a major influx.
Ahmed, a visitor from Algeria, took a neutral stance, noting that while Trump had prior experience as president, he hopes any changes will be positive. Similarly, Kane, a Montreal resident, finds Trump’s presidency “entertaining” and hopes the U.S. and Canada will adjust to any changes. He’s uncertain about a mass influx of immigration, as such concerns have been raised in previous elections without resulting in significant movements.
Ali, a visitor from West Africa, expressed disappointment over Trump’s return to office, saying he had hoped for a change in global dynamics with Harris as president. He voiced concern about the global unpredictability surrounding issues like the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and is anxious about Trump’s potential impact on global stability. He remains hopeful, trusting in systemic checks and balances to prevent negative outcomes.
These responses reflect a range of opinions on Trump’s return, with some expecting challenges for Canada, especially in trade and immigration, while others are waiting to see how his presidency unfolds.
