Skip to content

Letters: Trudeau should rethink approach to foreign policy

As most people know, Justin Trudeau used to teach drama.
15162229_web1_180702-CPW-Trudeau-CNDday
Letter writer suggests prime minister’s talk condescendingly and carry a ‘selfie’ stick approach to foreign policy doesn’t work. (Canadian Press/ Geoff Robins)

As most people know, Justin Trudeau used to teach drama.

As prime minister he has a new job, acting in the best interests of all Canadians; however, he appears to be preoccupied with the razzle-dazzle of the spotlights shining on the world stage. That’s where he relishes strutting his stuff.

One of the guiding principles of effective leadership is to praise in public and admonish in private. Apparently, our prime minister’s instinct is to admonish in public and to congratulate himself, also in public.

Related: Canada’s arrest of Huawei exec an act of ‘backstabbing,’ Chinese ambassador says

Pointing a wagging finger at the repressive leaders in Saudi Arabia, China, Russia, Venezuela and other such counties, and then self-righteously lecturing them on the inherent goodness of ‘Trudeauism,’ may garner favourable short-term headlines, but at what long-term cost to Canada?

I believe the Canadian government could achieve more by quietly arm-twisting foreign representatives behind closed doors.

Trudeau should, if he is actually capable, rethink his government’s foreign affairs policy, which seems to be based on talk condescendingly and carry a ‘selfie’ stick.

Lloyd Atkins


@SalmonArm
newsroom@saobserver.net

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter