Canada, Mexico leaders showcase ties after Brexit

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — The leaders of North America confront a rising tide of economic protectionism and nationalism as they hold a summit Wednesday in the Canadian capital.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met U.S. President Barack Obama, and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto at the North American Leaders’ Summit.

Obama said throughout the news conference that while the global economic system had left some people behind, and though some of the anti-trade talk in the United Kingdom and in the US was based on legitimate concerns, finding solutions takes time and hard work.

“You shouldn’t think that is representative of how the American people think”, Obama said, adding that illegal immigration from Mexico to the U.S.is at it’s lowest level since the 1970s.

Canada’s global trade minister, Chrystia Freeland, noted that the meeting of the three pro-trade leaders was taking place at a pivotal moment.

Obama was scheduled to address a joint session of Parliament at 5:15 p.m. ET, although he was behind schedule after a news conference with Trudeau and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto that ran long. At one point, Pena Nieto was asked about some previous comments in which he’d appeared to compare Trump to Hitler and Mussolini. He said “we’re still learning all the facts, but we know this is part of our broader shared fight against terrorist networks”.

Trudeau also said the three leaders would strive to highlight how trade has been good for all three nations.

Obama recognized there existed “genuine concerns” about the impact on long-term global growth if the Brexit goes ahead.

Obama thanked Canada for helping to broker negotiations between Cuba and America, and cheekily jabbed at this country’s penchant for cheap tropical vacations.

Peña Nieto, referring to Republican presumptive presidential nominee candidate Donald Trump, said that he opposed Trump’s call to build a U.S.-Mexican border wall, though he said he was prepared to work with whoever is elected U.S. president. “This is what can happen when countries come together in pursuit of a common goal, when we have a big idea and the political will to make it happen”.

President Barack Obama says the character of the USA has been shaped by Mexican Americans who have influenced its culture, politics and business.

Delivering a plea for regional cooperation and free trade, Obama argued – in a thinly-veiled rebuke to the real estate magnate – for growing the United States’ relationship with Mexico, “our neighbor, our friend”. “We are fully convinced that by working together…we can be the most competitive region in the world”, he said.

“I’m not saying they shouldn’t answer”. President Peña Nieto is also expected to announce his country’s commitment to this goal. Trump on Tuesday also pledged that as president, he would withdraw from an agreement among 12 Pacific Rim nations that has yet to take effect.