Almost a week after president-elect Donald Trump shocked many around the world with his U.S. election win, his long-time friend, Conrad Black, remains unsurprised.
āI just didnāt drink the Kool-Aid on the other side,ā Black told BNNās Jon Erlichman in an interview on Monday. āI knew his appeal was stronger than the conventional wisdom accepted that it was.ā
Black cited the enormous support Trump earned during the Republican primaries as an early indication of the billionaire businessmanās popularity. He said Trump managed to increase voter turnout for the Republican primaries by 60 per cent from four years ago.
Black also believes that, despite reports Trump was shocked by the election outcome, the Republican candidate had really expected to win.
The real Donald Trump
Black said he had trouble marrying the controversial, public persona Trump displayed during the campaign with the man he knows personally.
āThe real Donald Trump is not such an absurd character and not so bombastic,ā Black said. āHeās certainly not a self-effacing man, but heās quite presentable.ā
The āreal Trumpā according to Black, is the subdued man who appeared before supporters to deliver his victory speech hours after polls closed.
āHe spoke in a quiet voice, quite amusingly, not at all self-importantly and it was rather suave,ā Black said. āThat is him. Heās a great raconteur.ā
Black said Trump has a clear mandate when it comes to reforms for campaign financing, taxes, immigration, political correctness, education, employment and national security. He described Trumpās plans as a āmoderate program.ā
Trumpās relationship with Canada
Black said he isnāt concerned about potential friction between Trump and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
āTheyāre both affable people. I think theyāll get on very well,ā Black said.
He said there may be a few areas of contention between the two leaders when it comes to certain policies, such as climate change, that will have to be managed carefully, however. Black also mentioned the Keystone XL pipeline proposal and the softwood lumber dispute as other issues the two countries will have to address.
Trump has been very vocal about his opposition to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and his plans to make changes to the deal. Black said this position shouldnāt be misinterpreted as an insult to Canada.
āI think itās clear that Donald Trump doesnāt have a problem with Canada. When he attacks NAFTA, heās not attacking Canada-U.S. free trade,ā he clarified.
