PRESIDENT Donald Trump has praised the "outstanding" trade relationship between the United States and Canada, saying he would only be "tweaking" it going forward.
The comments were received positively by Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, who came to the US seeking to ensure Canada was not crippled as Mr Trump re-negotiates the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta).
The neighbouring leaders took up the thorny subjects of trade and immigration at their first face-to-face meeting yesterday.
"We have a very outstanding trade relationship with Canada. We'll be tweaking it," Mr Trump told reporters of the trade relationship.
"We'll be doing certain things that are going to benefit both of our countries. It's a much less severe situation than what's taking place on the southern border."
At a joint news conference after their meetings, the two emphasised their shared goals. Mr Trump pledged to work with Canada "in pursuit of our many shared interests". Mr Trudeau spoke of a special bond and the "deep abiding respect" between the two countries, though he also said that "relationships between neighbours are pretty complex".
While the two leaders stressed shared interests, their contrasting views were also on display. Responding to questions from reporters, Mr Trump defended his refugee and immigration orders, saying that "we cannot let the wrong people in". Mr Trudeau, on the other hand, said Canada continues to "pursue our policies of openness".
Mr Trudeau later noted that there have been times when the two countries "have differed in our approaches". But he said "the last thing Canadians expect is for me to come down and lecture another country on how they chose to govern themselves".
Canadians have been concerned that they could be hurt as Mr Trump targets Mexico in a re-negotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Mr Trump greeted Mr Trudeau with a firm handshake as he arrived at the White House on a blustery morning. The two posed silently before reporters, until Mr Trump suggested they shake hands for the cameras. Mr Trudeau did bring a personal gift – a photo of Mr Trump with Mr Trudeau's father, the late Canadian prime minister Pierre Trudeau.
Mr Trump said he knew and respected Pierre Trudeau and would keep the photo in a "very special place".
At a roundtable discussion with female executives from the US and Canada, Mr Trump and Mr Trudeau announced a task force focused on women in the workforce. Mr Trump said it was important to ensure the economy is a place where "women can work and thrive". Mr Trudeau stressed that women have had to overcome barriers to succeed in business.
Mr Trump's daughter Ivanka Mr Trump was in attendance at the meeting and helped recruit participants and set the agenda. The high-profile meeting is evidence of her rising policy influence.
A Canadian official said Mr Trudeau's administration had suggested the task force, because the prime minister considers the issue of working women an important part of his agenda and economic growth plan.
"It's a smart thing if Canada proposed this," Nelson Wiseman, a professor at the University of Toronto said. "It takes attention off of Nafta. And from Mr Trump's point of view, it contributes to softening Mr Trump's image, and he's got a problem with women."
Relations with the US are crucial as more than 75 per cent of Canada's exports go to the US, while 18 per cent of US exports go to Canada.
Roland Paris, a former senior foreign policy to Mr Trudeau, said the prime minister needs to build a relationship with Mr Trump to ensure Canada is not shut out economically.
"The overriding priority will be for Canada to maintain secure and reliable access to the US market and the supply chains that criss-cross the border," Mr Paris said.
Mr Trudeau has been preparing for the Mr Trump meeting for months. He will also meet with legislative leaders on Capitol Hill.
