Trudeau tries to calm Trump fears in Europe
First time PM has addressed EU’s parliament
S TR A SBOURG, FR A NCE • Fresh from his meeting in Washington, Justin Trudeau sought to bring Europe a message of reassurance Thursday about the anxiety it faces over Donald Trump’s antipathy toward the continent.
Trudeau’s recent visit to the White House, kicking off a whirlwind week of international travel, was closely watched in the European Union, which endured another round of bashing this week from Trump’s pick for ambassador to Brussels.
Trudeau’s host, Antonio Tajani, the president of the European Parliament, said Europe views Canada as an important bridge builder in its attempt to forge positive relations with the U.S.
“It’s easier for the Canadians to speak to the Americans,” Tajani said, seated next to Trudeau at their joint press conference in Strasbourg, France, the seat of the bloc’s 28-country parliament.
The Trump-Trudeau meeting on Monday “paved the way for better relations between European Union and the United States of America,” Tajani said. “We want to work with the Americans. Over the next years, the Canadian work is very good for relations between us and America.”
Trudeau elaborated on his meeting with Trump, saying the two are seeking common ground to help the middle classes of their two countries prosper. “What I saw from the American president was a focus on getting things done for the people who supported him and who believe in him, while demonstrating that good relations with one’s neighbours is a great way of getting things done,” said Trudeau.
The prime minister called that “a positive example that everyone is going benefit from around the world.”
Trudeau said the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with Europe would likely be ratified by Canada by the spring and that’s when working people would begin to see the benefits of trade deals, which are currently the source of discontent across Europe and in the Trump White House.
Earlier, Trudeau showed the EU some love in his highly anticipated speech to the European Parliament, the day after it ratified CETA. But he also warned that if it doesn’t succeed, it could be the last deal of its kind.
“The European Union is a truly remarkable achievement, and an unprecedented model for peaceful co-operation. Canada knows that an effective European voice on the global stage isn’t just preferable — it’s essential,” Trudeau said in the first address by a Canadian prime minister to the European Parliament.
“If we are successful, CETA will become the blueprint for all ambitious, future trade deals. If we are not, this could well be one of the last.”
Trump’s ambassador designate to the EU, Ted Malloch, said this week that the EU’s “blatant anti-Americanism” is “problematic.”
Anti-trade groups are vowing to continue the fight against the deal, which they say benefits large corporations at the expense of working people — a reality Trudeau spoke to in his speech.
“Now, we live in a time when many people are worried that the current system only benefits society’s luckiest few. And their concern is valid,” Trudeau said.
“The anxiety people have towards the economy and trade — the worry that our kids won’t have access to the same jobs and opportunities that we had — can be addressed only if we ensure that trade is inclusive, so that everyone benefits.”