BREAKING NEWS, Foreign
–
US President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are to meet to discuss trade co-operation in the wake of the Brexit vote
“We’ve seen around the world many examples of protectionism, of concern, of stepping away from trade agreements,” said Mr Trudeau.
The meeting comes as the two men finish the Three Amigos Summit with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto in Ottawa.
The three nations belong to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Mr Obama will also address Parliament after the meeting.
The leaders were expected to focus talks on trade as well as pledging to produce 50% of their countries’ electricity from clean energy by 2025.
Topics will also include Britain’s historic referendum vote to leave the European Union and its own free trade market.
Analysis – Rajini Vaidyanathan, BBC News, Ottawa
As the rest of the world shrugs its shoulders at the unravelling of the EU-UK partnership, North American leaders are gathering to promote the strength of theirs. The summit is dubbed the “Three Amigos”, but the friendship between the three hasn’t always been as tight as that name suggests.
Canada’s former Prime Minister Stephen Harper didn’t see eye to eye with President Obama on a range of issues including climate change and the Keystone Pipeline, and both the US and Canada have had tensions with Mexico over immigration.
After a day of meetings with Mexico’s President Enrique Pena Nieto on Tuesday, Justin Trudeau pledged to lift visa restrictions for Mexicans – in turn Mexico promised to lift a ban on beef exports – as a way to strength ties.
But as President Obama prepares to exit the White House, the balance of this trinity of leaders is sure to change, whether it’s Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton in the White House.
“Better partnerships are a path to prosperity,” Mr Trudeau said, ahead of the talks.
“And that’s a compelling example that we want to showcase at a time where unfortunately people are prone to turning inwards, which will be at the cost of economic growth and their own success.”
Tensions are mounting over the benefits of globalisation following the referendum in the UK, where many who voted to leave the EU expressed concern over border control and jobs.
US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has echoed similar sentiment, saying free trade has cost thousands of American jobs.
Mr Obama and Mr Trudeau are also expected to discuss international peacekeeping efforts in their bilateral talks behind closed doors, according to Canadian media.
It was announced this week that Mr Trudeau will appear as a cartoon character on the cover of an issue of Marvel in August. – BBC
— Jun 29, 2016 @ 17:55 GMT
|
Tags:
