Monday, February 13, 2017

Mr. Trudeau goes to Washington



There was no trip to hit the links of Florida, and no hand holding along the walkway alongside the White House, but for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Monday's first working visit with President Donald Trump went fairly well.

In fact, Canadians heard many praises, few concerns and the prospect that any protectionist measures of the new era of Donald Trump's economic vision perhaps won't be quite as dire as previously thought.

For his part, the Prime Minister noted that it wasn't his place to lecture the President on his immigration strategy and any notes on economics followed themes of the shared adventure that Americans and Canadians had embarked on over the decades.

The Prime Minister brought a small battalion of cabinet ministers and government officials with him, the collective force spreading out to hold discussions with Vice-President Mike Pence, as well as with U.S. officials at Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell.

The theme of most of them one of the long standing relationship and the benefits that both countries have found from it.

The Prime Minister as well would meet with the upper levels of the U.S. government as his whirlwind trek south would play out through the day, some hockey talk with Wisconsin's Paul Ryan who wields power in the House, while Mitch McConnell and the PM would also exchange pleasantries.

The day began with the obligatory welcome to the White House photo opportunity, one of a number photo op handshakes that had reporters and observers looking for hidden meanings in the number of steam boats that would pass before grips were released.

A smart move from the Canadian side (if that's where the concept came from) was to bring the President's daughter Ivanka into the discussions, striking a bi-national committee to further the interests of women in business and entrepreneurship.

The theme for the work ahead providing for a topic that reinforces Trudeau's commitments to gender equality and success, while at least introducing the President to the concept and shoring up a segment of his policy work that is clearly in need of a bit of help.

For much of the public sessions, the over-riding theme was the economy, NAFTA would be tweaked (seemingly smaller adjustment for Canada than Mexico, who no doubt were watching for dispatches as to how it was all going) and while not totally on board with the concept that the Northern border is a safe one for the US, the President made no mention of walls, or moving border assets to the Northern frontier.

All in all, the day went about as good as Canadian officials could have hoped for, while not the budding bromance that the PM enjoyed with former President Obama, but seemingly more of a business approach to the dealings between the two countries.

The details to be left to the cabinet level, ambassadorships and other levels of cross border engagement as the future course is charted.

However, as is the case these days in Washington, the news cycle moves at cyclonic speeds, by the evening the Canadian visit was but a footnote to the day's minutes.

The resignation of the President's Security Advisor General Michael Flynn in the late evening hours would come to dominated the day, the travels of Justin Trudeau banished to the status of a scroll on the CNN news ticker.

Some notes on the day from the Canadian media can be reviewed below, followed by the observations of their U.S. counterpoints, though as might be expected their, contributions to the themes of the day can be counted in lower numbers.

Trudeau, Trump speak at White House about strengthening ties
Trudeau keeps in boring with Trump, and it works (for now)
Trudeau, Trump vow to tighten energy ties, beginning with Keystone XL
When Trudeau met Trump: Canadian exceptionalism, American envy
Trump and Trudeau: A good, successful first date
Trudeau talks trade under the guise of gender equality
Sarah Palin won't be named U.S. ambassador to Canada: official
With Trump, sunny ways is Trudeau's best play
Corporate Canada wary of trade risks as Trudeau meets with Trump
Trump plays down changes to NAFTA after meeting with Trudeau
Trudeau, Trump launch joint initiative to support women in the workforce
Trudeau, Trump to meet for private lunch
Justin Trudeau will tread carefully on global security in Trump meeting
In their first meeting, Trudeau needs to sell Trump on NAFTA
Trudeau's snooze-worthy meeting with Trump a triumph
Trudeau, Trump find common ground on economy, security but remain at odds over immigration
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets U.S. President Donald Trump
Trudeau, Trump talk trade, security in 1st face-to-face visit
Why Trudeau-Trump feels like more than a simple chat about the economy
How to follow Justin Trudeau's trip to Washington
Trump, Trudeau to discuss women in workforce at Washington round table
Pre-clearance bill would give U.S. border agents in Canada new powers
Trudeau is the the 3rd leader hosted by Trump: Here's how the first 2 meetings went
Justin Trudeau unlikely to raise differences with Trump on Monday
Canadians don't want PM to 'lecture another country,' says Trudeau
Transcript of Trudeau, Trump statements after their first meeting in Washington
Donald Trump and Justin Trudeau shake hands: and analysis
Making Donald Trump seem boring counts as a win for Trudeau
Tranquil Trudeau to meet Troubled Trump
Table set for cordial talks between Justin Trudeau and Donald Trump
Donald Trump: 'America is deeply fortunate to have a neighbour like Canada'
For Canada's sake
Trudeau's Hallmark card visit to Trump's Washington
When Gemini (Trump) meets Capricorn (Trudeau): Awkward
Flattery gets Justin Trudeau everywhere with Donald Trump
Justin Trudeau meets Donald Trump at the White House: 'America is deeply fortunate to have a neighbour like Canada'
Did Donald Trump really know Pierre Trudeau and respect him greatly? A review of the evidence
Canadians not ready to welcome ambassador Sarah Palin, would prefer Rudy Giuliani: poll
Border tax adjustment tax reportedly being looked at by Trump administration would be brutal for Canada: study
Trump and Trudeau to launch joint task force aimed at helping women in the workforce: White House official
Canadian CEOs brace for NAFTA changes as Trump and Trudeau meet
Conservatives offer support to Trudeau ahead of meeting with Trump
Canadian dollar posts one-week high as Trump downplays changes to trade ties
Women in the work force: How do Canada and the U.S. stack up?
Donald Trump not 'totally confident' about the security of U.S.-Canada border
Justin Trudeau, Donald Trump strike cordial tone on trade in first meeting
As Trudeau meets Trump, will Canada abandon Mexico?
Donald Trump's handshakes are likely a show of power, experts say
Justin Trudeau, Donald Trump team up to support women in the workforce
As it happened: Justin Trudeau in Washington for face-to-face meeting with Donald Trump
Justin Trudeau, Donald Trump shake hands before 1st face-to-face meeting in Washington
The genesis of Justin Trudeau's visit with Donald Trump
President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issue joint statement
Tom Mulcair and Jenny Kwan demand Justin Trudeau speak up about Trump's discriminatory executive order

The media in the United States

Can Justin Trudeau deal with Donald Trump?
Canada's Trudeau talks trade with Trump at White House
Trump expects only 'tweaking' of trade relationship with Canada
Justin Trudeau and Donald Trump try to bridge some gaps while avoiding others
Trump defends travel ban as Trudeau looks on
Trump soft pedals NAFTA criticism with Canadian leader says Mexico the issue
Trump, Trudeau launch women business leaders council 
Donald Trump and Justin Trudeau talk free trade in first face-to-face meeting in Washington
Trump and Trudeau tread carefully on differences on Refugees, Trade
Canadian PM Trudeau refuses to buck Trump on 'extreme vetting'
Trump, Trudeau Talk Trade, Working Women
Liberal superhero Justin Trudeau is not immune to the forces of Trump
Five pieces of advice for Justin Trudeau meeting with Donald Trump
Pro-Refugee Trudeau Set to Bite His Tongue on Trump visit
'There have been times where we have differed': Trudeau reacts to Trump's travel ban during a joint conference
Trump joins Trudeau in vowing to Boost Women in Workplace
Trump gives Trudeau Assurance on Canada Trade Relationship
That viral photo of Justin Trudeau and Donald Trump is not what it seems
Border tax didn't come up in Trudeau's meeting with Trump, Canada's finance minister says
Can Trump and Trudeau get along?
Ivanka Trump gathered these female CEOs to meet with the President and Justin Trudeau
Trudeau says its not his job to 'lecture' Trump on Syrian refugees
Trump, Trudeau voice common cause on jobs amid Mexico Trade tensions
Tale of the tape: Trump and Trudeau, Neighbours and opposites, meet for the First Time
A Trump news conference filters out the tough questions

Notes from the International Press

Donald Trump and Justin Trudeau talk free trade in first face-to-face meeting in Washington
Canada PM Trudeau seeks common ground with President Trump in Washington
President Trump and Justin Trudeau Discuss Trade and Immigration at the White House
US President Donald Trump meets with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Trump and Trudeau on best behaviour despite political chasm between them
Justin Trudeau defends open refugee policy to Donald Trump at meeting
Justin Trudeau's charm offensive on the White House
Trudeau meets Trump: A diplomatic balancing act
Why didn't Trudeau stand up to Trump on travel ban? It's the economy, stupid
Justin Trudeau says it's not Canada' duty to 'lecture' Trump on immigration
Another member of the Trudeau fan club! Ivanka takes a seat beside Canadian Prime Minister ...
Trump hosts Trudeau: We still cool?
Trump buries his differences with refugee-welcoming liberal neighbour Trudeau who says he won't 'lecture another country' and opens way for new 'tweaked' NAFTA deal
Trudeau meets Trump and vows to continue to welcome refugees
Donald Trump maintains hard line on refugees as Justin Trudeau says he will not 'lecture' the US President
Social media could not be having more fun with Donald Trump meeting Justin Trudeau
Justin Trudeau: I won't lecture Trump over refugee ban
Justin Trudeau's handshake with Donald Trump the 'biggest display of dominance in the history of Canada'
How to shake Donald Trump's hand: A Case Study






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