A shared, secure border is the takeaway after bilateral talks between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Donald Trump on trade and immigration.
The two leaders held a joint news conference at the White House in Washington DC, following their first face-to-face meeting on Monday.
They agreed millions of good paying jobs on both sides of the border depend on trade between the two countries, with the prime minister again pointing out that Canada is the most important foreign market for 35 American states.
On the North American Free Trade Agreement, Trump described trade with Canada as "very outstanding," adding his bigger concern is the Mexican end of the deal.
"We'll be tweaking it. We'll be doing certain things that are going to benefit both of our countries," he said. "It's a much less severe situation than what's taken place on the southern border."
The unique & unparalleled partnership between the US & Canada is essential to our shared prosperity & security: https://t.co/tmbBr472Ih
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 13, 2017
While they took a conciliatory approach to their economic interests, Trudeau and Trump couldn't be more at odds over immigration policies.
Asked whether he believes the U.S. travel and refugee ban has merit within the national security sphere, Trudeau said, "The last thing Canadians expect is for me to come down and lecture another country on how they choose to govern themselves."
Trudeau reiterated Canada's open door policy on the issue of Syrian refugees, while Trump carved out his approach as "not letting the wrong people in."
"My role, our responsibility," Trudeau said, "is to continue to govern in such a way that reflects Canadians' approach and be a positive example in the world."