Context, context, context.
Like most, the initial reports that I saw about the latest wrinkle in the Canada/US relationship were (depending on the news outlet being viewed) either focused on the comments from the Trump administration mouthpieces (along the president's tweets) or repeats of the "snippet" of PM Trudeau's press conference in which he held us out to be "polite, reasonable, but not push aroundable" - all there needed to be to complete the stereotype was a bottle of maple syrup and a toque on the podium. If, as some commentators would have us believe, that comment from the PM was the sole purpose of the presser and part of his prepared statement, then perhaps a look at the entire press conference would be in order. Of course, I don't expect most will want to wade through the first eight and a half minutes (really only four minutes content since it is in both languages) but there are some interesting things said there, but not necessarily related to this controversy. However, maybe it is worthwhile to pick it up when the PM opened the floor to questions.
https://youtu.be/cI25Xhz1qnk?t=519
and more specifically https://youtu.be/cI25Xhz1qnk?t=700
As can be seen, the now oft played part is in direct response to a very specific question. While some may not be fans of Mr. Trudeau, it appears (to me anyway) that the answer he provided was specifically on point to the journalist's question. Though it may not be what the US administration would like to have heard at that particular time, it very clearly lays out the position of the current Canadian government and while the PM does refer to the US president in his comments, he does not make any personal attack against Mr. Trump. The response, however, was decidedly different. Both President Trump in his tweets and the two delegated representatives who made the Sunday show rounds resorted to ad hominem attacks on Mr. Trudeau. If this was played out on these forums, I know who would get the negative milpoints and possibly a warning from the DS.
