TimminsToday took to the street on Friday afternoon, shortly after the controversial Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States and asked people walking by Pine St. S. and Third Ave. how they felt about him.
Here is what they had to say as we stopped people around 2 p.m. Friday June 20 corner of Third and Pine St. S in front of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and later at the Coffee Warehouse.
Trump’s lack of diplomatic skills and his desire to renegotiate free trade deals are a definite work to a man named Peter.
“He is not going to be very good to deal with because he is not very diplomatic,” said Peter. “And it’s scary that he is trying to get rid of NAFTA and NATO. “
“He seems to be thinking of America alone and not globally which is scary,” he added
Al, who operates Revillo’s Shawarma on Cedar St. S., also expressed concern about Trump’s impact on free trade and had this to say.
“He seems to want to change the way trade is being done around the world,” Al said. “Overall, it may affect us in Timmins and Canada because as he changes the rules on NAFTA, if it affects one part of Canada it likely will have effect also on other parts of Canada.”
“But if people are really worried about Trump, I advise them to come over and have a shawarma it will take your minds of politics and Trump,” Al said with a smile.
A female college student studying social work expressed regret that she wasn’t better informed.
“I should really start following politics more as I am studying social work and it is important to keep up with what is going, but at the moment I haven’t been and can’t really express an informed opinion on Trump.”
A man named Mario is concerned that Trump might just start a war.
“Trump has views that will make some people upset and he may start another war and I guarantee you he won’t pay for it, Mario said.
“He has divided the US and when a household is divided against itself it will crumble,” Mario added.
“I just hope he does the right thing,” said a man in a hurry who commented without stopping to give his name.
A young woman in her early 20s said she follows events in the U.S. including the elections.
“I watch the news everyday and I give him two thumbs up, but no comment,” she said and she declined to give her name.
One person was realistic about Trump’s America First philosophy and said that all countries put themselves first.
“He will be good for America, but for the rest of the world not so good,” said an elderly man who spoke to us in French. “But let’s be realistic every country acts for itself, Canada acts for itself, the United States acts for itself. He is a good negotiator and I hope he does well.”
Meanwhile at the Coffee Warehouse, Jessie who was with her friend Sebastien had a colourful turn for how she felt about Trump.
“I want Trump to be president as much as I want to gain50 extra pounds,” she said.
Finally, a man named Art, who follows the stock market expressed some trepidations about Trump, but felt he will be good for the economy and especially investors.
“Trump is going to be great for the stock market and the North American economy, but places like China, Japan and South Korea are going to be hit hard,” said Art a former A and R man with an international record company, now retired.
