Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday June 29, 2016
Trudeau looks for reset with Mexico, leadership role with Americas
The official state visit by Mexico’s President Enrique Pena Nieto in Ottawa today is a chance for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to not only reset the bilateral relationship, but also for Canada to show it can play a leadership role in the Americas.
Trudeau’s meeting with Pena Nieto comes ahead of Wednesday’s North American Leaders Summit with U.S. President Barack Obama, a gathering also known as the Three Amigos.
In the lead-up to this week’s meetings, Trudeau’s government has been relaying a clear message to Canada’s allies in the Americas.
“It is absolutely the case that we are living in a time of a tremendous wave of populist protectionism and anti-immigrant sentiment around the world,” International Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland said in an interview with CBC News Network’s Power & Politics on Monday.
Freeland said the Pacific Alliance countries are “important and valuable allies” who are worried about rising anti-immigration and protectionist sentiments from abroad.
“When they hear people talking about building walls, that concerns them deeply and rightly,” Freeland said without naming Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate whose proposal for a wall along the Mexican-U.S. border has been a controversial part of his campaign. (Source: CBC News)
Dear #Mexico, we’ll happily keep trading our maple syrup etc. for your avocados etc., despite Trump’s hatred of u. Love #Canada ?? #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/vQdRjfwbMW
— Graeme MacKay (@mackaycartoons) January 27, 2017