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Chrystia Freeland, Rex Tillerson jointly denounce Charlottesville violence

Click to play video: 'Chrystia Freeland offers condolences to U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, condemns ‘racist hatred’ of Charlottesville riots'
Chrystia Freeland offers condolences to U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, condemns ‘racist hatred’ of Charlottesville riots
WATCH ABOVE: Chrystia Freeland offers condolences to U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, condemns 'racist hatred' of Charlottesville riots – Aug 16, 2017

WASHINGTON – The foreign ministers of Canada and the United States have jointly condemned the racist-fuelled violence in Charlottesville.

Chrystia Freeland and Rex Tillerson made it the focus of their public remarks in a brief exchange with reporters today.

Freeland visited the secretary of state in his office while she was in Washington for the opening round of NAFTA talks.

READ MORE: NAFTA negotiations: Canada brings list of demands to first round of talks today

Tillerson opened his remarks by noting that Canada and the U.S. are close friends with shared values — values that include freedom and tolerance.

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WATCH: Chrystia Freeland holds bilateral meeting with Mexican counterpart ahead of NAFTA talks

Click to play video: 'Chrystia Freeland holds bilateral meeting with Mexican counterpart ahead of NAFTA talks'
Chrystia Freeland holds bilateral meeting with Mexican counterpart ahead of NAFTA talks

He said he wanted to add his condemnation over what happened in Virginia, where white supremacists gathered and an anti-racism protester was killed when a car plowed into a crowd of people.

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Freeland offered her condolences, along with what she called an unequivocal condemnation of racist hatred.

READ MORE: NAFTA negotiations: energy clause unites Canadian critics across the political spectrum

She said it’s important to speak out publicly against acts of hatred — to which Canada, she noted, is not immune, citing the case of the recent Quebec City mosque massacre.

Both ignored a shouted question about whether they agreed with the controversial nature of how the events were addressed by President Donald Trump.

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