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“The U.S. is deeply fortunate to have a neighbour like Canada,” he said. The two countries should co-ordinate more closely to protect jobs, keep wealth on the continent and keep everyone safe, he added.

When he was offered the chance to skewer Canada for absorbing so many of the Syrian refugees that he considers a danger to American security, he demurred, saying only “you can never be totally confident” about border security.

Trudeau was polite but not prostrate. The NDP urged him to stand up for Canadian values, and tell Trump publicly that Canadians are opposed to a policy that turns away immigrants and refugees based on their religion.

Had he done so, he would have scored political points at home. But this visit was about securing Canada’s privileged trading relationship, not playing domestic politics.

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We are party to an asymmetric alliance, in which we depend on exports to the U.S. for 23 per cent of our GDP, while their exports north account for just two per cent of their economy.

The prime minister boxed clever, saying that the last thing Canadians would expect him to do is visit another country and lecture them on how to govern themselves.

At the same time, he said he will always “reflect the Canadian approach” and provide an example to the world. Canada’s self-respect remained intact, as did the special relationship with the United States. Well played, sir.