Trudeau talks trade with Ireland's PM

DUBLIN — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Irish counterpart reaffirmed their commitment to the Canada-EU trade pact known as CETA during their meeting Tuesday in Dublin.

Speaking to reporters following their meeting, both Trudeau and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar sang the praises of CETA as a commitment to free trade and a pact that will benefit both sides.

Trudeau reiterated his theme that CETA will deliver stronger economic growth and create more well-paid jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.

“CETA will give Canadian and Irish businesses greater access to each other’s markets,” Trudeau said. “It will deliver stronger economic growth, the kind of growth that benefits all citizens, not just the wealthiest.”

Trade between Canada and Ireland totalled about $2.4 billion in 2016, but both countries want the agreement to work — Canada views it as a hedge against U.S. protectionism, and Ireland as a hedge against an uncertain post-Brexit future.

“Most important, it will create more good, well-paying jobs for workers on both sides of the Atlantic,” Trudeau said.

Varadkar said while Canada is very large and Ireland is small, both countries have many similarities, notably by having large neighbours “going in different directions for the time being” — referring to the U.S. protectionist path and Britain’s divorce talks with the EU.

Trudeau and Varadkar also spoke of their commitment to climate change, diversity and the need for greater gender balance in governments.

Varadkar joked that he received good advice from Trudeau during their meeting since he’s been in office about 18 days while Trudeau has held office for about 18 months. Trudeau is the Irish leader’s first international visitor and this was their first face-toface meeting.

At their joint news conference, Varadkar flashed his socks — bright red and decorated with Canadian Mounties and maple leaves — before presenting Trudeau with a customized Irish rugby shirt and a pair of green Celtic socks.

Trudeau will later head to Scotland to meet with Queen Elizabeth before going to Hamburg, Germany, for the G20 summit.

That gathering on Friday is shaping up as a showdown between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and U.S. President Donald Trump over the issues of isolationism and protectionism.