The new Prime Minister of Canada in 1984, would have tough shoes to fill, and would be no easy task for Mulroney because the past Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau had very high success on the international stage, because he was well traveled, which made him very respected around the world. It was not that Mulroney was unpopular on the international stage; it was that just not too many people even know who he was (Holy, 133-134). Brian Mulroney plan was to make a difference on the international stage by ensuring that Canada kept its international commitments, developing international trade, promoting peace talks, and helping countries through international aid and development assistance. Mulroney was quoted as say this.
"My Government is committed to building Canada's image in the world as a free, tolerant and independent nation; as a reliable trading partner; as a good place to invest and do business; as a people committed to the entrepreneurial spirit; and as a nation that honors its commitment to its allies- (Canada, 1).
When Brian Mulroney came into power, there were going to be big changes in our relationship with the Americans because the former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau did not have close relationship with the Americans, and during this term in office, he would put up barriers to block American investment into Canada. For example in 1980, Trudeau and his government would pass a program called the National Energy program (NEP). The NEP was a program which was to impose new federal taxes, retained a larger share of petroleum revenue for Ottawa, to keep the national price of oil below the world levels, and to promote Canadianization of the industry. When Mulroney and his government came into power, he would scarp the whole program and announces, "Canada is open for business-. This was a smart move by Mulroney because it had reopened Canada back to foreign investment, and one of most important investments area could be the oil industry.