Addressing both Canadians and Americans on Saturday night, at one of the most fraught moments in the history of relations between Canada and the United States, Justin Trudeau reminded listeners of John F. Kennedy’s words when the late American president addressed Parliament in May 1961.
“Geography has made us neighbours. History has made us friends. Economics has made us partners. And necessity has made us allies,” the prime minister said, quoting Kennedy.
Trudeau did not repeat the next sentence in Kennedy’s remarks: “Those whom nature hath so joined together, let no man put asunder.”
Perhaps that line would have seemed in this moment like a direct attack on the current American president. But Kennedy’s sentiment may have been implied as Trudeau proceeded to recount all of the occasions on which Canadians and Americans have fought together and all of the moments in which Canadians have been there to assist their neighbour.