Guardian OpEd: Trudeau and Obama: a match made in heaven but Trump looms

[pampango]

Trudeau and Obama: it's not always this easy being neighbors

Obama is a fan of Canada’s social democratic traditions, and on his first foreign state visit to Canada in 2009 told ecstatic crowds simply: “I love this country.” Ever since, Canada has loved him back and he has sometimes been more popular in polling among Canadians than have Canadian leaders. ... Despite living in the American shadow, seven in 10 Canadians view the US favorably; and 81% of Americans view Canada favorably, higher than any other nation. (Britain is a close second at 79%.)

“I think there is a developing special relationship between this president and prime minister,” said Mark Feierstein, senior director for Western Hemisphere at the National Security Council in an interview this week. “Both are young leaders with similar visions, both have a progressive vision of governing, both are very much committed to the appropriate use of multilateral tools, both are committed to diversity.”

At the moment, this is a match made in heaven: a grateful president honoring a policy soul mate in Canada. They align on climate change prescriptions and Trudeau’s signature policies – such as his pledge to legalize marijuana and absorb up to 50,000 Syrian refugees – resonate with American liberals.

This week’s events are about fence-mending, but the future is uncertain. There will be fence building if Trump wins and builds a wall in the north, then hands Canada the invoice. He’s also said he would approve Keystone but only if Americans make all the profits.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/mar/10/justin-trudeau-canada-obama-state-dinner-visit-neighbors

It's too bad that the administrations of Obama and Trudeau will not have more of an overlap. Let us hope that our next president is a Democrat who can work with Trudeau rather than a republican who will work against him.

[DonCoquixote]

1. If Trump wins

watch harper come back, you heard it here first