\u201cPresident Bush\u2019s decision to go forward with strong environmental legislation, including the Clean Air Act\u2026is a splendid gift to future generations of Americans and Canadians to savor,\u00a0\u00bb Brian Mulroney said.<\/b>
\nCanada\u2019s former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney appeared to take aim at the blaring policy differences between his friend, former President George H. W. Bush, and Donald Trump during a stirring eulogy on Wednesday.
Pointing to the former president’s achievements when it came to addressing environmental issues as well as his work to promote free trade, Mulroney lauded Bush, who died at 94 last Friday, as a \u201cgenuine leader\u201d who was \u201cmore courageous, more principled and more honorable\u201d than all other presidents.
Journalist Daniel Dale, who is the Washington correspondent for the Toronto Star, were among those who posted to Twitter, saying that parts of the former prime minister\u2019s remarks appeared to be a \u201csubtweet of Trump.\u201d
Former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney speaks during the State Funeral for former President George H. W. Bush at the National Cathedral on December 5 in Washington, DC Andrew Harnik-Pool\/Getty Images
\u201cPresident Bush\u2019s decision to go forward with strong environmental legislation, including the Clean Air Act\u2026 is a splendid gift to future generations of Americans and Canadians to savor,\u201d Mulroney said. \u201cIn the air they breathe, in the water they drink, in the forests they enjoy and the lakes, rivers and streams they cherish.\u201d
\u201cThere\u2019s a word for this,\u201d he continued. \u201cIt\u2019s called leadership.\u201d
Since taking office, Trump has pushed to dismantle environmental regulations, arguing that business interests are more important. He has also removed the U. S. from the landmark 2015 Paris Climate Accord. As of now, the U. S. is the only nation in the world that does not support the international treaty.
Mulroney also pointed to Bush\u2019s efforts to promote free trade on the continent, specifically through the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The treaty between the U. S., Canada and Mexico \u201ccreated the largest and richest free trade area in the history of the world,\u201d the Canadian leader, who helped push the pact forward, pointed out.
Trump, conversely, slammed the agreement as a \u201cdisaster\u201d and pushed Washington\u2019s partners in Ottawa and Mexico City hard to negotiate the trade deal earlier this year. The president threatened to slap high tariffs on the long-time trading partners, publicly attacking Canada\u2019s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his trade negotiators before a new treaty was agreed upon. The three North American nations did finally reached a deal, rebranded as the U. S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which was officially signed by all parties last Friday during the G20 Summit in Argentina.
From left, President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, former President Barack Obama, former first lady Michelle Obama, former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter, listen as former President George W. Bush speaks during the state funeral for former President George H. W. Bush at the Washington National Cathedral on December 5 in Washington, DC Alex Brandon – Pool\/Getty Images
Seen by some as a attempt to contrast Bush\u2019s leadership style to that of Trump, the former prime minister also emphasized the respect and admiration Bush drew from leaders throughout the world.
\u201cWhen George Bush was president of the United States of America, every single head of state in the world knew that they were dealing with a gentleman,\u201d he said. \u201cA genuine leader. One who was distinguished, resolute and brave.\u201d<\/p>\n