It is so rare and so disconcerting when I agree with the most predictably Liberal leaning of the Globe's stable of political columnists.

Nevertheless Lawrence Martin is right on point with his observation that Brian Mulroney could play an influential role for Canada dealing with the new Trump administration on NAFTA and other issues connected with Canada-US trade and the environment.

Mr. Mulroney is the most widely respected former Canadian PM around the world - with Stephen Harper second - and nowhere more so than in the US and as PM he achieved great progress for Canada on the trade and environmental fronts dealing with the Reagan and the Bush #41 administrations.

So The Chin has the reputation, credibility, personality and negotiating skills plus the long personal relationship with The Donald (their West Palm Beach houses are about a block apart albeit Brian's is much, much smaller) to be useful to PM Trudeau and Canada in an informal ambassadorial/advisory role.

JT, take note.