Trudeau brought his charm offensive to the San Francisco Bay area amid increasing unease over U.S. immigration policy and while talks continue over the North American Free Trade Agreement. SAN FRANCISCO—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday pitched Canadian globalism and the country’s new fast-track visa as reasons why Silicon Valley companies should consider Canada as a place to do business and spend money. The San Francisco Bay area has become increasingly important to the Canadian government, said Rana Sarkar, the consul general of Canada in San Francisco. Trudeau’s stop in San Francisco also highlights the already strong ties between Canada and California, particularly in research, academia and technology. In 1988, Reagan and then-prime minister Brian Mulroney signed the first free trade agreement — a precursor to NAFTA.

Source: thestar February 09, 2018 03:00 UTC