Trump-Trudeau: An unlikely alliance
OTTAWA: While other world leaders have been disparaged by Donald Trump or faced ire at home for trying to woo his White House, Canada’s progressive prime minister Justin Trudeau has struck up an unlikely alliance with the US president.
Trudeau has been called the “anti-Trump” in a German newspaper, while at home, supporters on the left have bit their tongue as he renews neighborly ties with the Republican, for the sake of a key trade and security relationship.
Of course, Trudeau has not shelved his liberal values, which he touts every time he stands in front of a microphone.
But he also hasn’t denigrated Trump to advance his agenda or to score cheap political points – at least not overtly.
The result has been seemingly strong ties with the Trump administration, with no loss of political capital for Trudeau at home or abroad – rather a deft maneuver by the Canadian leader.
“It’s a fascinating relationship,” said Ian Capstick, a political analyst and head of Media Style in Ottawa.
“I don’t know if I would call it a close relationship,” Capstick told AFP. “Rather I’d say it’s an early successful relationship.”
Trump commended Canada twice in his maiden address to Congress late last month, after heaping praise on Trudeau during his earlier visit to Washington.
“America is deeply fortunate to have a neighbor like Canada,” Trump told a joint press conference with Trudeau at his side.
Canada and the United States share one of the world’s longest borders, a highly integrated economy, and have common history and culture.
To ensure and bolster cooperation with Team Trump, Trudeau has quickly sent his top ministers to Washington to meet their new counterparts.
He has even gone as far as to recruit a former conservative prime minister and Trump friend, Brian Mulroney, to help build good relations. — AFP