US President Donald Trump on Monday called for “reciprocal” trade with Canada and to build bridges of commerce across the border, but nevertheless vowed to “tweak” the bilateral relationship.
Coming into Monday’s meeting with visiting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, trade was one of the main topics on the agenda, and the new Republican leader certainly seemed to tone down his previously harsh rhetoric.
“America is deeply fortunate to have a neighbor like Canada,” Trump told a joint press conference with Trudeau at his side, hailing the opportunity to “build even more bridges” of commerce.
“We understand that both of our countries are stronger when we join forces in matters of international commerce,” Trump said.
But he nevertheless pledged changes were on the horizon.
“We have a very outstanding trade relationship with Canada. We will be tweaking it. We will be doing certain things that are going to benefit both of our countries.”
For his part, Trudeau said the two nations-who with Mexico make up the North American Free Trade Agreement-“will always remain each other’s most essential partner.”
“Today’s conversations have served to reinforce how important that is for both Canadians and Americans,” he added.
