Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is pushing President Trump to refrain from sending American soldiers to the border between the United States and Canada.
Trudeau contacted the Trump administration after a news report that the president was considering sending troops to patrol the Canadian border to keep people from illegally immigrating during the coronavirus pandemic, according to the National Post. Trudeau argued that Trump should leave the U.S.-Canada border, the longest demilitarized border between countries, alone.
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The U.S. and Canada agreed to halt all nonessential travel between the nations while keeping the border open for commerce and workers. The two leaders reached an agreement earlier this month to limit the spread of the pathogen.
“We will be, by mutual consent, temporarily closing our Northern Border with Canada to nonessential traffic. Trade will not be affected,” Trump announced on March 18.
The Canadian government has passed a bill giving roughly $1,400 to citizens who have lost their jobs, contracted the illness, or are caring for a family member with the COVID-19 virus. The U.S. Congress is working on its own $2 trillion relief package that includes interest-free loans for small businesses, billions in loans for large corporations, and a $1,200 check for most U.S. citizens.
