Trudeau’s closing news conference at NATO summit has started. Trump has cancelled his newser after calling Trudeau “two-faced” for the candid mocking comments caught on camera. Trump says Trudeau wasn’t happy he “called out” Trudeau on low defence spending.
Trudeau’s opening statement says 6 additional fighter aircraft and a frigate to NATO’s “readiness” mission.
He hasn’t yet taken questions.
He hasn’t yet taken questions.
Trudeau on his comments and what he said to Trump today: We had a great meeting yesterday, talked about things that really matter to Canadians..NAFTA, China
last night I made a reference to the fact that there was an unscheduled press conference...it was certainly notable.
last night I made a reference to the fact that there was an unscheduled press conference...it was certainly notable.
Trudeau says the impromptu press conference "was what I was sharing at the dinner."
Trudeau says his reference to "jaws dropped" was in reference to the fact the next G7 would be held at Camp David...that there are always surprises for leaders including the emergence of "that video."
Trudeau insists it won't affect the U.S.-Canada relationship or his relationship with Trump.
Trudeau says the level of NATO defence spending is a concern the U.S. "legitimately has" but he defends Canada's spending level and its practice of "stepping up" to get involved in NATO operations and initiatives.
Trudeau says about Trump's calling out Canada on defence spending: "I was glad to have that conversation with the President."
The live video feed broke up, but so far Trudeau has not addressed the tone of his comments other than to say it was merely about the "unscheduled" nature of Trump's news conferences and the surprise announcement of Camp David.
Trudeau's explanation is in contrast to UK PM Boris Johnson who offered none other than to say he didn't know what was being referenced when he was questioned.
Trudeau insists the U.S.-Canada relationship is deeper than the relationship between any two individuals but adds: "I have a very productive and positive relationship with Mr. Trump....we will continue to have an excellent relationship."
On Huawei, Trudeau repeats that Canada's decision would be based on the advice of scientific experts.
Asked whether Canada would consider Magnitsky sanctions against Chinese officials, Trudeau doesn't directly answer..says he welcomed NATO discussion about how approach a rising China...
Trudeau adds he'll continue to press for release of two detained Cdns, express Canada's concerns about 300K Cdn citizens in Hong Kong, and "about Uighurs" in Western China.
Trudeau has generally expressed concerns before about China's treatment of Uighur minority in western China, but hasn't specifically said what exactly he has told China.
Trudeau says within NATO "we're all going to try a little harder" to focus on the positive and substantive areas of cooperation and engagement.
Trudeau is done taking q's.
Trudeau confirms the leaders were talking about Trump, but cast his comments as casual, inofffensive, merely about "impromptu" nature of Trump's photospray-news conference & surprise announcement of the Camp David as venue for the next G7.
Trudeau confirms the leaders were talking about Trump, but cast his comments as casual, inofffensive, merely about "impromptu" nature of Trump's photospray-news conference & surprise announcement of the Camp David as venue for the next G7.
Maybe American reporters will learn on the president's plane what Trudeau said to Trump when they met this morning. Whatever it was, it was a brief interaction.
UK PM Boris Johnson, when asked about the discussion and whether he doesn't take Trump seriously, said "No, that's complete nonsense. I don't know where that's come from."
Johnson also said key criteria driving UK decision on using Huawei in 5G is the fact that Britain "cannot prejudice" its "vital national security interests" or its "ability to cooperate with other Five Eyes security partners."
