Obama says U.S. relationship with Canada 'not radically changed' under Trump
Source: CBC
Obama was invited to speak in Toronto by the think-tank Canada2020, and he packed the room with an estimated 3,000 people. The event attracted Obama fans, some of whom dabbed at tears in their eyes when a video showcasing Obama's time in the White House was played, and politicians from all levels of government.
"Canada, I think you guys are doing great," Obama responded, earning a round of applause from the huge crowd.
"I think in many ways the relationship between our two countries has not radically changed," he said. "There is probably a different conversation taking place between governments, but the connections that we have between people, our commercial bonds, our cultural bonds, are so deep that they transcend any particular party and they transcend any particular moment."
He referred to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as "Justin" several times and said the prime minister represents a "wave of young leadership" that believes in traditional values of democracy but is trying to adapt creatively to "a dynamic and disruptive time." The former president said he'd like to see more of that kind of leadership around the world.
"It is not enough for us to look backwards and just settle on the traditional recipes of the progressive movement because the world is changing rapidly," he said.
Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/obama-says-u-s-relationship-with-canada-not-radically-changed-under-trump-1.4311828
On other foreign policy issues he called North Korea "a real danger," and said addressing it requires strong diplomacy and not just a military strategy.
He also talked about the need to recognize the benefits of refugees and immigrants, lauding Toronto's diversity and that of his adopted hometown of Chicago, but said people also need to recognize that some fear immigrants because of their impact on jobs and wages.
Obama also emphasized the need to recognize how technology is making it easier for people to retreat into "information bubbles," in which too often they only listen to those who think the same way instead of hearing opposing opinions, finding compromise and trying to build bridges.
"You will notice America is not bridging a lot of those differences right now," he said.
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