Bridges — rather than walls — were discussed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U-S President Donald Trump in the wake of their first face-to-face meeting in Washington.

Trump declared America is “deeply fortunate to have a neighbour like Canada,” and spoke of more trade with Canada and a faster-flowing border.

Talk of trade was music to the ears of Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus (NDP), but it was what Trudeau didn’t discuss with Trump that is a burning topic in his mind.

It’s safe to say the first few weeks of Trump’s America has been a nightmare for some people.

From Muslim bans, to pipelines and the like, Angus wants Trudeau to do the right thing and stand up to the US President.

“When the German government talked to Donald Trump, they were very clear: they wanted to work with the United States, but they were also clear on the breaches of international law,” said Angus.

“That’s what we need to be, we need to be clear.”It’s to a point, Angus says, people are afraid to travel to the US because of said breaches.He says Trudeau doesn’t need to antagonize Trump but he has “to speak truth.””Nobody’s ever going to respect (Canada) for tip-toeing around on issues that have direct consequences for Canadian citizens,” he added.Angus also called Trudeau and Trump’s staged scene, a photo op with businesswomen “ridiculous” and “cynical,” adding Trudeau made Trump look like a pseudo-feminist.He does say that both Trump and Trudeau are fully aware of the importance of a Canada-US relationship but Trudeau has to go into discussions as an equal partner to Trump…not as a country “tip-toeing around a bully.”

(With files from The Canadian Press)

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