OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says it would be a “mistake” for the United States to position troops near the Canadian border.
Trudeau said Friday he’s made that point to the Trump administration, and that he’s still seeking clarity on American plans.
“As I’ve said, Canada and the United States benefit immensely from the fact that we share the longest, unmilitarized border in the world,” he said. “We certainly hope that they’re not going to go through with that.”
PM @JustinTrudeau asked about Trump talking troops at Canada's border – is that going to happen? He's answering diplomatically 'we share the longest non-militarized border in the world thinks it should stay that way'. Working on it. So, that's not a no. #bcpoli #covid19 @news110
— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) March 27, 2020
The prime minister added when he knows more, he’ll share the information with Canadians.
“We continue to engage closely in back and forths with the American administration on many, many issues around the border,” Trudeau said.
In remarks at the White House late Thursday afternoon, U.S. President Donald Trump said — without any explanation — that the U.S. already has troops “along the border” with Canada.
Trump then went on a riff about one of his favourite topics — tariffs — and restated old concerns about cheap Chinese steel coming into the U.S. market from Canada.
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland responded to reports of the proposal that “Canada is strongly opposed to” it.
“We really don’t think this is the right way to treat a trusted friend and a military ally,” she added.
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Canada and the U.S. already have a mutual ban in place on non-essential travel, but the movement of trade, commerce and cross-border workers has been allowed to continue.