U.S. President Donald Trump has sent a letter to Gov. Gen. David Johnston to convey congratulations to Canadians ahead of the 150th anniversary of Confederation, the U.S. Embassy in Canada said in a press release.
“The United States cherishes our relationship with Canada. Throughout the years, no two countries have formed a bond as unique as ours. Canada and the United States have stood together steadfastly in times of peace and war, through prosperity and hardship. We are united by the world’s longest border, but —above all—by the shared values we together hold so highly,” the letter reads.
“I congratulate Canada on this historic occasion, and look forward to the continuation of our strong relationship.”
Trump’s relationship with Canada hasn’t been all hunky-dory in recent times however.
Last November, the Trump administration began investigating whether Canada’s softwood lumber exports south of the border were unfairly subsidized, with the president’s trade rhetoric accused of hurting the Canadian economy.
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In January, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sent a series of pointed tweets welcoming refugees to Canada, just days after Trump announced his travel and immigration ban on people from seven Muslim-majority countries.
More recently, Trump learned that the downtown Toronto hotel that bears his name will be rebranded, ostensibly because it is feared the Trump name could alienate some customers.