Trudeau calls Trump tweets a ‘new wrinkle in international diplomacy’

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday called President Trump’s affinity for Twitter a “new wrinkle in international diplomacy” that has real-world political implications. 

“I think modern means of communications have led to adjustments in how we function in a large way,” Trudeau said in a live interview with The New York Times chief White House correspondent Peter Baker and Toronto Bureau Chief Catherine Porter.

“There’s no question that the way the president chooses to speak directly to people through social media is a new wrinkle in international diplomacy.”

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In the sweeping interview, Trudeau discussed his early impression of Trump and the relationship that the two men have forged since the president took office in January.

While Trudeau said that he is not staying awake at night waiting for Trump to fire off a new round of tweets, the prime minister also acknowledged that Trump’s postings carry political weight.

“Anything that the president of the United States says in any forum is worthy of noting, of placing into context,” he said.

Trudeau also praised Trump for his ability to listen, saying that the president isn’t a typical politician that has a “deep-vested interest in being right all the time.”

“One of the things that I’ve learned is he actually does listen,” Trudeau said. “There’s a lot of politicians who have a deep-vested interest in being right all the time, and therefore close themselves off sometimes to facts or evidence or differing opinions.”

“What I’ve found from this president is he will listen to arguments made, he will look at the ensemble of facts, of proposals, of impacts you put together, and he will be open to shifting his position,” he said. “That’s something we can definitely work with.”