OTTAWA—The leaders of Canada, the United States and Mexico will talk up continental co-operation when they meet Wednesday, a message standing in stark contrast to the wall-building aspirations of U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump and Britain’s flight from the European Union.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto gave a preview of that theme Tuesday following meetings in Ottawa, where they made progress on long-standing diplomatic irritants and highlighted growing ties between their two countries.

With debate raging in the United Kingdom over the referendum to leave the European Union, Trudeau pointedly made the case for closer ties between nations, which he called a “path to prosperity.”

“Throughout the world, we see a great deal of protectionism, isolationism and people who look inward rather than opening up to others,” Trudeau told a joint news conference held with Pena Nieto on the eve of the Three Amigos summit.

“We understand that collaboration, partnership, greater unity on issues . . . are ultimately good for our citizens, are good for the middle class, are good for the growth that matters.

That message was reinforced by the Mexican president, who said the two countries are “fully convinced” that shared economic and social progress can be achieved through “international trade and regional integration.”

“We have a shared vision. We truly believe in regional integration practices. We believe in free trade,” Pena Nieto said.

The Mexican president, who saw relations with Canada cool under Stephen Harper’s Conservatives, praised Trudeau, noting it was the first state visit by Mexican leader in 15 years.

The two leaders started their day with an early morning jog around the capital, presenting a very different picture of high-level diplomacy than recent years.

“Canada has in you a progressive, visionary leader who is open to the world. Mexico acknowledges you as a great friend,” Pena Nieto said.

Both leaders highlighted a few tangible examples of what they dubbed a “renewed” relationship. Trudeau announced the visa requirements for all Mexican travellers to Canada would be lifted Dec. 1. The visa requirement was instituted in 2009 after a jump in bogus refugee claims.

Pena Nieto praised the decision to lift the requirement, which he branded a “roadblock” in relations between the two countries. At the same time, Mexico has agreed to open their markets to all Canadian beef exports later this year. Both countries pledged to share ideas to assist indigenous peoples and development.

Mexico is not one of Canada’s larger economic partners, but internal documents obtained by the Star suggest trade between the two countries is “rapidly growing.”

The documents, prepared for Foreign Affairs Minister Stéphane Dion, notes two-way trade in 2014 reached over $34 billion, largely based on integrated production chains. Approximately two million Canadians visit Mexico every year, and 170,000 Mexicans go north annually.

For both Trudeau and Pena Nieto, the protectionist fears that underpinned the Brexit referendum in the United Kingdom are also stoking political turmoil closer to home. Trump, the presumptive Republican candidate, has all but pledged to scrap the North American Free Trade Agreement, promising new tariffs to “protect” American business.

There’s also the matter of the wall Trump has promised to build across the border between the U.S. and Mexico.

Both Pena Nieto and Trudeau steered well clear of taking sides in the polarized election rhetoric, each saying only that they would respect the choices made by the American people.

“My government respects the election process in the United States and we’re going to work with whoever wins,” the Mexican president said.

Their warm talk is expected to get a boost on Wednesday when U.S. President Barack Obama arrives in Ottawa to join the two leaders for the North American Leaders’ Summit, also known as the Three Amigos summit.

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The environment and climate change will be a focus as the leaders will formally announce a continental agreement to encourage the shift to green energy, pledging that 50 per cent of all electricity will be from renewable sources — including nuclear power — by 2025.

Mexico will also agree to join Canada and the U.S. in reducing methane gas emissions by up to 45 per cent during that same period.

Later in the day, Obama will address Parliament on what is certain to be his last formal visit to Canada before he leaves the White House.

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