A Canadian Perspective on the State of the Union Speech. Gregory Savioz-Buck, Intern, University of Sherbrooke, Canada.
The State of the Union speech took place last week, at a very unusual time. Indeed, the United States had just launched a missile at a Chinese balloon over its territory.
US President Biden's speech was certainly highly anticipated by the American people, but also by some in Canada. As a Canadian student of history, I was eager to see what form Biden's speech would take.
In general, he was reassuring and reached out the hand of collaboration between the two major US parties. It should be remembered, however, that many of his political enemies were at the speech in the House of Representatives and did everything they could to make his life difficult (shouting, making faces, etc.). I am referring to Marjorie Taylor-Green. The ideological polarization has become a disturbing fixture of national politics in the United States.
As a neighbor, this polarization, which is also growing increasingly in Canada, is worrisome.
It remains to be seen whether President Biden will be able to effectively work with Congressional Republicans.
Gregory Savioz-Buck, History Student, University of Sherbrooke, Canada.