Quebec MP takes on key trade post in a protectionist age

Franois-PhilippeChampagneconsiders JeanChrtienan inspiration.

And he may need some of Chrtien's notorious scrappiness as he assumes a key role in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government: international trade minister in the age of rising protectionism.

The appointment is part of a sweeping cabinetshakeup announced Tuesday that saw veteran Quebec MP StphaneDionreplaced as foreign affairs minister by Chrystia Freeland, who previously held the international trade portfolio.

• Chrystia Freeland becomes foreign minister as Trudeau shuffles cabinet

LikeChrtien, Champagne grew up inShawinigan, Que., a forestrytown of 50,000 on the shores of the Saint-Maurice River. And like Chrtien, he toostudied law before entering politics.

Champagnehasnowhere near Chrtien's political experience, of course; heonlybecame an MP in the 2015 election that brought the Liberals to power.

But he won his Saint-MauriceChamplain riding by 12,230 votes Chrtien stumped for him and he carried an air of confidence to Ottawa.

Champagnewas considered a strong contender for a post in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's first cabinetand wasn't shy about expressing his interest.

"It is up to Mr. Trudeau to decide, but I know his economics team," he told Radio-Canada soon after his victory.

Instead, the ambitious 46-year-old wasgiven a smaller role:parliamentary secretary to Finance Minister BillMorneau.

But even with the promotion to trade,Champagne will have his responsibilities limited.

Freeland will take with her the most pressing, and potentially complicated trade file: business ties with the U.S. under Donald Trump.

Champagne told Radio-Canada that Freeland will take the lead on that issue, leaving him to developtrade in Europe and especially in Asia.

"Trade occupies a large part of American diplomacy, so it was logical to keep that under the minister of foreign affairs," saidChampagne.

"Our focus will be on economic growth for the middle class. I want to make Canada the best place in the world for people to invest in."

Going global when all is local

But securing trade deals, and boosting cross-border investment, will require a fair bit of cunning.Champagne takes over as trade minister amid an unprecedented global backlash against free trade.

Trade skeptics are in government in some of Canada's closest allies, including the U.K.

He acknowledged that securing gains for the Canadian economy will require navigating thenew protectionist environment.

Echoing a theme heard in Freeland'srecent speeches,Champagne said that Canada's role in this context is to champion the benefits of a more liberal trade regime.

"We're at a point in history where we have to argue for the advantages of international trade," Champagne said. "And that's where Canada has distinguished itself."

The Liberals may be counting onChampagne's long experience with international corporations to help them make the case for trade.

• Why Trump's new trade representative could take a 'hard line' with Canada

Champagne, once named "a young global leader" by the World Economic Forum, has held top posts with some of the world's largest multinationals.

He was a vice-presidentat ABB Group, a Swedish-Swiss multinational corporationwith over 150,000 employees, and served as a board member for a South Korea-based bridge company.

According to hisbiographyon the Liberal Party's website, he hasover 20 years' experience "working for major companies worldwide."

But despite this jet-setpedigree,Champagneonce told the Globe and Mail newspaper that, like his political hero, he just wants to be seen as "a littleguyfromShawinigan."