It really was in many ways another campaign speech.

That's how Brandon University political science professor Kelly Saunders interpreted the inauguration address gave by president Donald Trump earlier today in Washington, D.C., as he was sworn into office with the eyes of the world watching. Saunders referred to Trump's familiar messages of 'America first' and 'buy American, hire American' as examples that remained from the campaign trail.

A major concern of Manitobans with president Trump relates back to his fiery language used during the campaign concerning the North American Free Trade agreement, Saunders acknowledges. She believes the business community in Manitoba will be paying close attention to how Trump moves forward with NAFTA.

"There is always a bit of uncertainty every time there is a change of administration, either there or here," Saunders says. "And a lot of the rhetoric of president Trump during the election campaign was quite inflammatory, about 'wanting to rip up the agreement.'"

"But once you're in office, it obviously becomes a different scenario compared to when you're running an election campaign."

Saunders says Manitobans, and all Canadians, will just have to wait and see how serious Trump is about re-opening NAFTA. She reminds, Canada's federal Liberal government has also expressed desire to see the agreement change.

"(We'll) have to look at what's possible. Not just what Trump would like to do, but what's possible," Saunders comments. "Given the United States relies on the trading relationship almost as much as Canada does ... he's not going to want to put American jobs at risk. And a lot of those jobs depend on an open border with Canada."

"So it's in his own interest to maintain a good relationship as well."