TORONTO -- Former prime minister Brian Mulroney says Canada needs to assert itself on the world stage, and that includes forging a stronger relationship with Donald Trump鈥檚 America.
Mulroney acknowledged that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has a tougher job dealing with the White House than he did as Canada鈥檚 leader in the 1980s and 1990s.
But Mulroney said he strongly believes that a Canadian prime minister must have a good relationship with the U.S. president, despite the challenges.
鈥淚 think Justin Trudeau can do miracles with Donald Trump, but he鈥檚 got to get himself down there and he鈥檚 got to start playing the game 鈥� and that鈥檚 Trump鈥檚 game, the way he plays it,鈥� Mulroney told CTV News鈥� Chief Anchor and Senior Editor Lisa LaFlamme during an event in Toronto Monday evening, where he was recognized with a global leadership award.
Mulroney, who called the current prime minister a 鈥渇ine young man,鈥� said he should use his 鈥淛ustin Trudeau charm鈥� to win over the people in Washington who back Trump 鈥� and that doesn鈥檛 mean 鈥渢he sophisticates from The Washington Post,鈥� he added.
Mulroney also said that Canada needs to work harder to fix its strained relationship with China, and go back to the 鈥渄rawing board.鈥�
鈥淲e have no idea 鈥� not a clue 鈥� what we鈥檙e doing out in China,鈥� he said, noting that his comments are not a 鈥渄isparagement of anyone.鈥�
Mulroney said Canada needs to do more to raise its profile on the global stage, especially when it comes to the United Nations and its commitments to international causes.
鈥淭he world doesn鈥檛 want more Canada until it bellies up to the bar. And that鈥檚 what it should do for a leadership role,鈥� he said.
