Conservative MP Jamil Jivani — who is also a friend of U.S. Vice-President JD Vance — says he’s open to helping the government during negotiations with the U.S. administration if the Liberals ask.
Since U.S. President Donald Trump’s inauguration, Jivani has been fairly muted about his close friendship with Vance.
But speaking to CBC’s Power & Politics on Thursday, Jivani seemed open to using his personal connection to help ease Canada-U.S. tensions.
“If the Liberal government wants to find me, they know where I am,” Jivani told host David Cochrane.
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The Conservative MP said he is ready to put the country above partisanship, but emphasized that the government needs to take the lead on the Canada-U.S. relationship.
“The dynamic between our two countries is just not very good right now and I wish the Liberal government well in working on that,” Jivani said.
“I think that’s really what needs to change in order for anyone to be able to help. The dynamic’s got to get better and of course folks in Washington, D.C., need to make some changes in order for that dynamic to get better, too.”
The MP said he has previously spoken with Kirsten Hillman, Canada’s ambassador in Washington, to offer some insights.
Jivani and Vance became friends while attending Yale Law School. Jivani performed the Bible reading at Vance’s wedding and the former Ohio senator also tapped his Canadian friend to help run his charitable organization, Our Ohio Renewal.
“JD and I were friends before politics and will be friends after politics. But we do have very strong political disagreements,” Jivani said Thursday.
Jivani also attended the presidential inauguration in January. In a letter to constituents before he attended the inauguration, Jivani said he’ll work to improve the “toxic” Canada-U.S. relationship.
The Conservative MP was just re-elected in the riding of Bowmanville-Oshawa North — an area that is heavily integrated into the North American auto industry.
Trump had threatened to hit non-American cars and auto parts with 25 per cent tariffs. The levies were set to go into effect on Saturday, but U.S. Customs and Border Protection guidance released Thursday said automobile parts compliant with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade will be exempt.
Jivani said Thursday that he would do what he can to help his constituents, while reiterating that he believes it’s the government’s job to take the lead on the U.S. relationship.
“If the opportunity came where I thought I would make a positive difference, of course I would take it. I know my constituents would want me to,” Jivani said.
“At this point, with a new government elected, it’s going to be up to the Liberal Party and Prime Minister Mark Carney to lead on behalf of Canada and I hope they will have good policies and a good approach to look out for these families affected by tariffs.”
Carney and Trump spoke on the phone following this week’s election. The president said Wednesday that he expects Carney to travel to Washington in the coming days. The Prime Minister’s Office has not commented on the exact timing of the visit.
