Canada-EU trade deal ‘best’ pact ever negotiated by Europe: European leaders

“I don’t think you have to choose, I think you have to be very up front and frank about doing that in a very thoughtful, respectful way, but in a constructive way”.

In the summit’s final communique, G20 leaders agreed to “reject protectionism” and promote global trade and investment.

Trudeau was also encouraged that China and the USA – the planet’s biggest polluters – both announced in Hangzhou they would formally join the ambitious Paris agreement on climate change.

Still, Trudeau insisted “we have the intention of ratifying in the coming months”.

Still, Trudeau said he believes Canada will largely escape the isolationist sentiment surfacing in other countries. He added that even Canada is not immune to such issues and has been criticized over its treatment of indigenous groups.

“We actually see there’s a tremendous, positive engagement by Canada in security in Eastern Europe and our allies genuinely appreciate that”, he said when asked why he didn’t participate.

His only formal bilateral meeting was with Chad’s President Idriss Deby Itno, who is also chair of the African Union.

Trudeau’s Hong Kong event came on the last day of his eight-day official visit to China, a trip that also included stops in Beijiing, Shanghai and Hangzhou for the Group of 20 leaders’ summit.

Being the world’s second-largest economy, China had attempted to sell Trudeau on a free-trade treaty similar to agreements China has sealed with Australia and New Zealand.

He was asked if Chinese leaders raised their long-held concerns with him over Canada’s restrictions on foreign investment by state-owned enterprises.

Gao Xiaosong, a popular Chinese talk show host, also called Trudeau “Little Potato”, in an episode that featured a discussion about First Nations issues in Canada.

“But we’re always happy to listen to questions and concerns that the Chinese may have and we’re always looking to create opportunities for Canadians and Canadian businesses”.

Speaking to an audience in Hong Kong a day after the city learned its Legislative Council elections results, Trudeau declined to comment on the rise of localist lawmakers, saying only that Canada would cooperate with friends and allies.

The morning downpour made a timely pause as the Canadian Prime Minister had a sojourn at the Sai Wan War Cemetery and laid a wreath at a memorial which includes the names of 228 Canadians.