President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau launched a joint effort to advance women in the workplace Monday, then plunged into the thornier issue of trade in North America, AP reported. The neighboring leaders, polar opposites in nearly every way, were taking up the subject in their first face-to-face meeting, with Trudeau eager to build a relationship with the new U.S. president. After a series of meetings, Trump and Trudeau released a joint statement, in which they stressed their "profound shared economic interests" and promised to "work tirelessly to provide growth and jobs for both countries." Trump greeted Trudeau with a firm handshake as he arrived at the White House on a blustery morning. The two posed silently before reporters, until Trump suggested they shake hands for the cameras. Trudeau did bring a personal gift â€" a photo of Trump with Trudeau's father, the late Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. Trump said he knew and respected Pierre Trudeau and would keep the photo in a "very special place." At a roundtable discussion with female executives from the United States and Canada, Trump and Trudeau announced a task force focused on women in the workforce. Trump said it was important to ensure the economy is a place where "women can work and thrive." Trudeau stressed that women have had to overcome barriers to succeed in business. Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump was in attendance at the meeting and helped recruit participants and set the agenda. The high-profile meeting is evidence of her rising policy influence. Trudeau, age 45, and Trump, age 70, have vastly different outlooks of the world. Trudeau is a liberal who champions free trade and has welcomed 40,000 Syrian refugees. He calls himself a feminist and his Cabinet is 50 percent women. Trump has few women in his Cabinet. He has taken a protectionist stance on trade and wants to crack down on the inflow of migrants and refugees.
