But times have changed since former premier Gary Doer, Kinew’s mentor when it comes to U.S. trade, used his connections with U.S. governors and other officials south of the border to allow Manitoba to punch above its economic weight, said Paul Thomas, professor emeritus of political studies at the University of Manitoba.

“This is a unique period of time when we have this power concentrated in the hands of a single, somewhat deranged actor in Donald Trump, who doesn’t listen to many people,” Thomas said in an interview.