Trudeau won’t call Trump by name, but goes after his policies during Washington visit

It’s easy to blame foreign markets for economic troubles at home, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told a gathering of business leaders in Washington on Thursday, but scaling back international trade would be a mistake.

Trudeau avoided direct mentions of the protectionism and anti-Chinese sentiment that has dominated the campaign of Republican presidential nomination front-runner Donald Trump, but he spoke indirectly about the issue as part of a question-and-answer session before the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

“The numbers are clear: Trade is good for jobs. Trade is good for the global economy,” Trudeau said. “It just has to be managed right.”

Share this on X Click to share quote on X: "The numbers are clear: Trade is good for jobs. Trade is good for the global economy," Trudeau said. "It just has to be managed right."

While Canada has benefited from international agreements, he added, it hasn’t prevented us from going through “difficult electoral cycles” in the past where people were much more trade-wary.

Trudeau called these periods “a natural part of politics.”

“People are quick to point fingers overseas,” he noted. “[To say] ‘the problem with the economy is some problem over there, some influence of foreign markets or what have you.’”

Share this on X Click to share quote on X: "People are quick to point fingers overseas," he noted. "[To say] 'the problem with the economy is some problem over there, some influence of foreign markets or what have you.'"

Get daily National news

Get daily Canada news delivered to your inbox so you'll never miss the day's top stories.

Sign up for daily National newsletter Get Started

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

READ MORE: Talk of Donald Trump looms large in Justin Trudeau’s American visit

Among other things, Trump has pledged to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement, and has called the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, which has yet to be ratified, a “total disaster.” He has also accused China of “ripping off” America, and claimed international partners are siphoning off American jobs.

WATCH: How would Prime Minister Trudeau deal with Donald Trump if he were elected?

2:10 How would Prime Minister Trudeau deal with Donald Trump if he were elected?

The meteoric political rise of the anti-establishment Trump south of the border is about much more than just economic concerns, Trudeau speculated. While not mentioning Trump by name during the interview, he said that Americans are pushing back against the status quo.

“I think we’re seeing a frustration against political systems and political establishments … and quite frankly (it’s) scaring a few people in the establishments and in political power structures,” the prime minister said.

Share this on X Click to share quote on X: "I think we're seeing a frustration against political systems and political establishments … and quite frankly (it's) scaring a few people in the establishments and in political power structures," the prime minister said.

“And I think that, hopefully, that will turn out to be a good thing as we continue to improve democracies in countries that are successful around the world.”

READ MORE: Trump most unfavourable U.S. presidential candidate in over 30 years: poll

There will be “some lessons learned” once the dust settles on the White House, he said, “but I have tremendous confidence in what Abraham Lincoln referred to as the better angels of our nature.”