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Striking the right cord

Posted in View Point

Published on March 17, 2016 with No Comments

Watching a grand welcome by President Obama for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his family at the White house dinner provided an opportunity to the world to ascertain views of the two most powerful neighbors on a host of issues that concern the world today. It also provided an opportunity to get the US-Canada relations to a new platform with both the leaders agreeing on co-operation in range of fields. Theevent had the world in admiration, as US –Canada not only share common values, culture and interests but also set the agenda for other countries to follow.

Trade remained central to the talks, as US is by far Canada’s largest customer for its exports and the largest provider of its imports, and the same was addressed with a right earnest. President Obama’s toast at state dinner captured the importance of the visit when he said, “We’re here for our kids. We’re here for everybody’s kids-to give our sons and daughters a better world.”  The leaders discussed the problems facing the world. ISIS, Iraq, Syria were discussed. Prime Minister Trudeau was at his best and rightly called the world’s attention to co-operation and co-existence. He stressed upon the need for the world leaders to create better understanding, and to being optimistic.  

Back home Trudeau was facing criticism on pipelines. Conservative Party interim leader Rona Ambrose said President Obama has rejected Canadian pipelines, but meanwhile lifted the export ban and the U.S. is expanding its own pipelines. She said the “playing field” isn’t level for a climate change agreement to work. She wanted Trudeau to assure the Canadian  energy workers and guarantee them “he won’t put them behind the eight ball” by agreeing to something U.S. won’t commit to.

He also talked about how optimism is a key element that’s needed for progressive politics in both countries. “You see, fear is easy. Friendship- Friendship takes work. But Canada and the United States have proven, time and time again, that finding common ground is worth the effort,” Trudeau said. “On our own, we make progress. But together, we make history,” Trudeau’s message should serve as an uncompromising suggestion to many leaders.

Nearly everywhere Prime Minister Justin Trudeau went he was asked to offer his thoughts on the U.S. presidential race and the Republican primary’s most famous and controversial candidate Donald Trump. Trudeau handled the questions tactfully, that one might expect from someone who quite literally grew up in the company of seasoned political leaders. When pressed by media to “speak his heart,” Trudeau advised the reporters to remember that during the referendum debates in Quebec’s recent history, both sides had agreed that foreign politicians should keep their noses out of Canadian domestic affairs. Trudeau said he would do the same to his American friends. “I respect the American electoral process. I have faith in what Lincoln referred to as ‘the better angels of American nature’ and I am looking forward to who I am going to work with after Nov. 4,” Trudeau’s response struck the right chord.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, known for his witty wordplay in his own style highlighted the blending of various cultures and contribution of various immigrant communities in Canada. He told the audience that he has more Sikhs in his Cabinet than his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.  “I have more Sikhs in my cabinet than Modi does,” Trudeau said making an obvious reference to Defense Minister HarjitSajjan, a combat veteran who did three tours in Afghanistan as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces; Infrastructure MinisterAmarjeetSohi, Small Business Minister BardishChagger and Innovation Minister Navdeep Singh Bains.

By all accounts this tour has been a great success, and many Canadians echoed the sentiments on social networking sites and one that had perhaps maximum response and likes – “Canadians have a Prime Minister who is a model to all”. And Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made best use of the stage so well set by US.

 

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