Selection of what was said during North American Leaders’ Summit, Obama speech

By The Canadian Press

OTTAWA – Some of what was said Wednesday at the North American Leaders’ Summit closing news conference with U.S. President Barack Obama, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto and during Obama’s subsequent address to Parliament:

“In the world we’re living in, in different places we have political leaders, political stakeholders that use demagoguery and have populistic slogans that want to eliminate and destroy what has been built, what has taken decades to build … In the past, some leaders addressed their societies in those terms. Hitler and Mussolini did that and the outcome, it is clear to everyone … It turned out to be a tragedy for mankind.” — Pena Nieto, in response to a question about U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump.

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“I’m not prepared to concede the notion that some of the rhetoric that’s been popping up is populist … Somebody … who has never shown any regard for workers, has never fought on behalf of social justice issues or making sure that poor kids are getting a decent shot at life or have health care, in fact have worked against economic opportunity for workers and ordinary people, they don’t suddenly become a populist because they say something controversial in order to win votes … That’s nativism or xenophobia or worse or it’s just cynicism.” — Obama.

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“One of the things that’s easy to forget amid the inflated rhetoric of an election campaign is that the relationship between our three countries goes far deeper than any individual leader.” — Trudeau.

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“The integration of national economies into a global economy, that’s here. That’s done. So the question is not whether or not there’s going to be an international global economy — there is one.” — Obama.

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“Today’s climate agreement stands as proof that co-operation pays off and that working together always beats going it alone.” — Trudeau.

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“The North American Leaders’ Summit bears witness that isolated national efforts are insufficient if we want favourable results for the benefit of our societies. It is better to work together as a region … Isolationism is not a solution.” — Pena Nieto.

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“We’re going to do more to speak with one, united North American voice on the world stage … I’m confident that we’re going to continue to advance regional co-operation and integration.” — Obama.

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“Always, there will be people trying to get us all to turn inwards, but the fact is our world is interconnected in so many ways that it is much better that we engage, that we work through our challenges together, because really that’s how we end up with the kind of growth that benefits our countries and our citizens.” — Trudeau.

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“Countries like ours that have high labour standards and high environmental standards and strong protection of intellectual property and rule of law, we’ve got to get out there and help to shape those (global trading) rules so that they work for our workers and our businesses. Because if we don’t, China will write the rules and they might not have the same regard for the values that we care about.” — Obama.

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“She doesn’t sound Canadian. That was pretty mean.” —Trudeau to Obama, jokingly, about a Reuters reporter identified by the U.S. president as Canadian who asked why Trudeau isn’t more direct in his opposition to Donald Trump.

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“Canadians are a little more subtle?” — Obama, in response to Trudeau.

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“By the way, Enrique, I love the story about monarch butterflies. They’re not just any species — they are spectacular and we want to make sure that our children, our grandchildren can see them as well.” — Obama on the trio’s plan to take steps to further protect Monarch butterfly habitats.

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“They’re gonna be defeated in Syria, they’re gonna be defeated in Iraq, they’re going to be on the run wherever they hide, and we will not rest until we have dismantled these networks of hate that have an impact on the entire civilized world … We stand with the people of Turkey and intend to do what’s necessary to make sure that these kinds of terrible events are not happening.” — Obama on the terrorist attack on Istanbul airport.

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“Now, finally, this House gets to see a ‘bromance’ close up. Thanks for making that possible. Although I still think ‘dudeplomacy’ is more accurate, but I’ll get over it.” — Trudeau as he introduced Obama in the House of Commons.

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“Thank you for this extraordinary welcome which tempts me to just shut up and leave because it can’t get any better than this.” — Obama on the standing ovation from MPs, senators and dignitaries attending his address to Parliament.

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“Canada was the very first country I visited as president. It was February. It was colder. I was younger. Michelle (Obama) now refers to my hair as the Great White North. And on that visit, I strolled around the Byward Market, tried a beaver tail, which is better than it sounds.” — Obama.

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“We Americans can never say it enough. We could not ask for a better friend or ally than Canada.” — Obama.

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“Our relationship is so remarkable precisely because it seems so unremarkable, which is why Americans often are surprised when our favourite American actor or singer turns out to be Canadian. The point is, we see ourselves in each other and our lives are richer for it.” — Obama.

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“The world is more prosperous than ever before but alongside globalization and technological wonders, we also see a rise in inequality and wage stagnation across advanced economies … If the benefits of globalization accrue only to those at the very top, if our democracies seem incapable of ensuring broad-based growth and opportunity for everyone, then people will push back out of anger or out of fear and politicians, some sincere and some entirely cynical, will tap that anger and fear.” — Obama.

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“As your ally and as your friend, let me say that we’ll be more secure when every NATO member, including Canada, contributes its full share to our common security because the Canadian armed forces are really good and, if I can borrow a phrase, the world needs more Canada. NATO needs more Canada. We need you.” — Obama.

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“Our Muslim friends and neighbours, who run businesses and serve in our governments and in our armed forces and are friends with our children and play on sports teams, we’ve got to stand up against the slander and the hate levelled against those who look or worship differently. That’s our obligation, that’s who we are.” — Obama.

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