French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau demonstrated their growing bromance as they shared a hug when they met in Paris on Monday.
The two young leaders, both progressives in their 40s, exchanged a hug on the steps of the Elysee Palace on Monday.
They spoke warmly of their ties afterwards at a press conference that ended with them leaving the room with their arms across each other’s backs.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shared a hug when they met in Paris
The two young leaders, both progressives in their 40s, exchanged a hug on the steps of the Elysee Palace on Monday
Macron and Trudeau see each other as natural allies in a world increasingly shaped by right-wing nationalism which has gathered strength in Europe and the United States, as well as in Russia, Turkey and China.
‘We have an extremely close convergence of views,’ Macron said during the press conference, which came after a working lunch and talks with Trudeau.
Trudeau, speaking mostly in French, ended his remarks lauding the ‘friendship’ between the two leaders – a contrast with the often difficult relationship he has with his North American neighbour, US President Donald Trump.
President Macron (left) greets Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as he arrives for a meeting at the Elysee Palace
Macron and Trudeau see each other as natural allies in a world increasingly shaped by right-wing nationalism
They spoke warmly of their ties afterwards at a press conference that ended with them leaving the room with their arms across each other’s backs
‘Canada, France and Europe are extremely aligned,’ he said.
Talks included trade, the war in Syria and an upcoming summit of G7 countries which will be hosted by Canada in June.
During the joint news conference, Trudeau praised the ‘benefits’ of a trade deal between Canada and the European Union that came largely into effect last September.
Trudeau said ‘we already see the results’ of the new trade rules, called the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement Implementation Act (CETA).
Canadian imports from France have increased 4 percent last year and Canadian investments in France have jumped 23 percent, he said.
Trudeau insists the deal included rules to protect workers’ rights and the environment, but CETA had triggered many protests across Europe, with critics arguing it weakens European labor laws.
Talks included trade, the war in Syria and an upcoming summit of G7 countries which will be hosted by Canada in June
Their first meeting as leaders came in May last year when they were photographed together at a meeting of G7 countries in a hillside town in Sicily
Trudeau and Macron’s first meeting as leaders came in May last year when they were photographed together at a meeting of G7 countries in the dreamy setting of Taormina, a hillside town in Sicily.
It led to widespread commentary about the ‘bromance’ between the two married liberals.
They also sparked jokes online that they looked like they had gone to Sicily for their wedding photographs.
Trudeau, speaking mostly in French, ended his remarks lauding the ‘friendship’ between the two leaders
The news conference ended with another sign of the blossoming bromance between the leaders