Taoiseach Varadkar wears Canada socks for Trudeau visit Published duration 4 July 2017

image copyright PA image caption Mr Varadkar took on the Canadian prime minister in the sock style stakes

Irish Taoiseach (PM) Leo Varadkar has engaged in some "sock diplomacy" in his first meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Dublin.

In a nod to Mr Trudeau's fondness for statement socks, he wore Canada-themed mountie and maple leaf print ones to welcome his first foreign visitor.

Mr Trudeau opted for a more subtle striped pair on his first official engagement in the Republic of Ireland.

The Canadian prime minister is in the country for a three-day visit

Away from talk of socks, trade issues are set to dominate the agenda, with the Canada-EU free trade deal expected to be a focal point of talks between the two leaders.

image copyright PA image caption The Irish Taoiseach wore Canadian themed socks to welcome Mr Trudeau

Mr Trudeau arrived in Dublin with his wife, Sophie Grégoire, and their youngest son, Hadrien, on Monday.

He is in Europe for a key G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany later this week.

image copyright EPA image caption Mr Trudeau was clearly impressed by Mr Varadkar's efforts

Mr Trudeau is also due to meet Irish President Michael D Higgins at his official residence.

The visit was arranged in May when Mr Varadkar's predecessor Enda Kenny met the Canadian leader in Montreal.

On that occasion, Mr Trudeau wore special Star Wars themed socks, as it coincided with the widely-celebrated Star Wars Day on 4 May.

image copyright Reuters image caption Mr Trudeau celebrated 'Star Wars Day' on 4 May - 'May the fourth be with you' - during his meeting with former Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny