TRUDEAU JETS TO PARIS TO TALK TRADE, WAR IN SYRIA

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is off on his first official visit to France, where he’ll meet with President Emmanuel Macron and address the National Assembly. The visit comes only days after France joined Britain and the U.S. in launching airstrikes against the Syrian government for an alleged chemical weapon attack this month that killed at least 40 people and left hundreds more injured. Trudeau has voiced support for the joint airstrikes, and will have a chance to discuss Syria and Russia, which has emerged as Syrian President Bashar Assad’s strongest backer, when he meets with Macron on Monday. On Tuesday, Trudeau will become the first Canadian prime minister to address the French National Assembly and the most recent leader to be given that rare opportunity since King Felipe of Spain in June 2015. His speech is expected to touch on the rise of nationalism, populism and xenophobia, which have become serious concerns in France and other parts of Europe. He is to highlight the potential benefits of the new Canada-European Union free trade deal.