Trump says US will be “respected again” in first speech since assassination attempt

MILWAUKEE — Donald Trump recounted the terrifying moment he realized he had been hit by a bullet in his first public speech since an assassination attempt, telling the party faithful at the Republican National Convention that his resolve had never been stronger. strong.

“I was like, ‘Wow, what was that?’ It can only be a bullet,’” Trump said as Republicans cheered and wiped tears from their eyes during the former president’s closing speech at Thursday’s four-day convention in Milwaukee.

Some world leaders have expressed concern over the looming possibility of Trump returning to the White House as President Joe Biden pulled out of the campaign after testing positive for COVID-19 this week at a critical time for democrats.

Speculation about Biden’s future and mental acuity has swirled following a disastrous debate against Trump last month and several missteps at the NATO leaders’ summit in Washington last week.

Matthew Lebo, a specialist in American politics at Western University in London, Ontario, said Trump can be erratic and global leaders are worried they can’t rely on US stability.

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 to be renegotiated during the first Trump administration. The outcome of that negotiation, called the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, is due to be reviewed in 2026.

Ahead of Trump’s speech, Canada’s ambassador to the United States is urging Canadians to talk with Americans about the countries’ important relationship.

“If you’re at the lake this summer with some American neighbors, take a moment to remember how lucky we are to have each other as neighbors,” said Kirsten Hillman, who attended the convention.

“And how much prosperity and security we get from it.”

Trump has mulled higher taxes on foreign goods, suggesting a blanket 10 percent tariff on nearly all imports.

In an interview, Hillman said the United States is a “noisy ecosystem” and that a lot of work is needed to make sure information about the Canadian relationship gets out.

Hillman said he met at the convention with senators, congressmen and members of the previous Trump administration.

“Fundamentally, 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 – and their relationship with Canada is a real contribution to those goals . .”

Trump, wearing a white bandage over his right ear, formally accepted the Republican presidential nomination while standing on a stage in front of a model of the White House.

He took a more introspective tone, reflecting on the time he nearly lost his life at the Pennsylvania rally on Saturday. In the lengthy speech, he rallied supporters against Democrats, saying they have waged a partisan witch hunt and denouncing the record of the current administration.

Republican Ed Schlesser said he feels Trump has shown a more tempered side to his leadership since the shooting.

“He really wants to do it for the whole world and for the whole world,” said Schlesser, wearing a red Trump shirt.

Following the shooting, the former president appealed for unity. Lebo said any sense of unity across party lines quickly disappeared from the talking points of convention speakers as the rhetoric became increasingly adversarial.

“It’s not Donald Trump. It’s not the party platform. It’s not the party right now,” he said of the conciliatory tone.

Trump has called the US a nation in decline, pointing to illegal immigration and foreign policy under Democrats.

“Under our leadership, the United States will be respected again,” Trump told the cheering crowd.

Trump’s comments likely did little to quell global concerns about America’s role in the world, which had already been heightened by Trump’s choice of running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance.

Vance is just going to “toot Trump’s horn,” Lebo said.

The vice presidential candidate has been a vocal opponent of US military aid to Ukraine as it repels Russia’s invasion. In addition, Trump has repeatedly said he will not defend NATO members who do not meet defense spending targets.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has promised to meet the NATO target, the equivalent of two percent of gross domestic product, by 2032. But he has been criticized for the long term and lack of detail on how Ottawa will achieve it.

Several prime ministers urged Canada to meet NATO’s spending target, stressing the need to preserve bilateral relations.

“For Canada and its relationship with the United States – we are important trading partners – we want them to fully respect us in all respects, including our ability to honor our obligations,” Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston told the Federation Council meeting . this week in Halifax.

Vince, who did not want to give his last name, traveled from Illinois to the convention to show his support for the Republican leader. He believes Trump recognizes the special relationship with Canada.

“We’re neighbors,” Vince said.

“You wouldn’t know if there were no borders, you’d never know which side of the border you’re on. We’re all the same.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 18, 2024.

— With files from The Associated Press and Lyndsay Armstrong in Halifax.

Kelly Geraldine Malone, Canadian Press