Canada is a ‘Tru’ friend to America

Trump, liberal PM play nice

Despite their striking differences on immigration policy, President Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau found common ground Monday on a broad range of issues, from trade to creating opportunities for women in business.

At a joint press conference after their meeting at the White House (inset), Trudeau took the high road when asked about Trump’s proposed travel ban.

“Canada and the United States have been neighbors a long time. And Canadians and Americans have stood together, worked together, at home and around the world. We have fought and died together,” said Trudeau, a staunch liberal whose nation has taken in 40,000 Syrian refugees.

“But there have been times where we have differed in our approaches,” he continued.

“The last thing Canadians expect is for me to come down and lecture another country on how they choose to govern themselves. Our responsibility is to continue to govern in such a way that reflects Canadians’ approach and be a positive example in the world.”

Trump’s plan to temporarily ban all refugees as well as immigration from seven Muslim-majority nations remains tied up in federal courts. Trudeau has panned the ban and welcomed refugees fleeing Syria’s devastating civil war.

Trump defended the ban, declaring that he was fulfilling a campaign promise, while boasting again about the size of his election victory.

“I’m just doing what I said I would do when we won by a very, very large Electoral College vote,” the president said.

Trump reassured Trudeau about the North American Free Trade Agreement, which Trump repeatedly ripped on the campaign trail, saying his focus was primarily on Mexico. NAFTA is crucial for Canada, since more than 75 percent of its exports come to the US, while only 18 percent of American exports go north of the border.

The leaders also agreedgreed to boost efforts to strengthenn the roles of women in the businessss community, creating the United States-Canada Council for Advancementncement of Women Entrepreneursneurs and Business Leaders.