White House says Justin Trudeau has been ‘stalwart friend’ for US

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FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Joe Biden and Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speak as leaders prepare for a group picture at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, November 19, 2024. REUTERS/Pilar Olivares/File Photo

Mr Justin Trudeau (left) enjoyed good relations with US President Joe Biden (right) and former president Barack Obama.

PHOTO: REUTERS

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WASHINGTON The White House said on Jan 6 that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who announced that he will step down

in the coming months after nine years in power

, has been a “stalwart friend” of the United States.

“Prime Minister Trudeau has been a stalwart friend of the United States during his decade leading the Canadian government, we have worked closely together on the full range of issues,” White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters.

“The President is grateful for the Prime Minister’s partnership with all of that and for his commitment to defending North America from the geopolitical threats of the 21st century,” she added.

Mr Trudeau bowed on Jan 6 to pressure from lawmakers alarmed by his Liberal Party’s miserable showing in pre-election polls.

While he enjoyed good relations with Democratic President Joe Biden and former president Barack Obama, his relations with Republican President-elect Donald Trump have at times been tense. Trump has been critical of Mr Trudeau and threatened tariffs against Canada.

During Mr Trudeau’s time in power, Canada renegotiated a trilateral trade deal involving the US, Canada and Mexico when Trump was last in office. REUTERS

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