GZERO Exclusive: Trudeau Defends Free Trade, Immigration and His Credibility Amidst Scandals

September 25, 2019

As his reelection campaign reels in the wake of recently surfaced blackface and brownface images, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau provided an exclusive response to GZERO Media's Ian Bremmer, host of the weekly foreign affairs program GZERO World.

In an email exchange transcribed below, PM Trudeau addressed the credibility gap the pictures and video from his past have created.

Ian Bremmer:How seriously can anyone take your passionate speeches on respect for diversity after seeing these images?

PM Justin Trudeau: Actions speak louder than words. I know that my actions in the past have been hurtful to people, and for that I'm deeply sorry. Our government has acted to fight discrimination and racism consistently over our first term, and if we earn the right to govern Canada again, we'll move forward to fight racism and discrimination in our next term.

Ian Bremmer:Can you remain credible on multiculturalism in Canada in light of this?

PM Justin Trudeau: That's for Canadians to judge. I will be spending the next few weeks working hard to earn their trust.

The exchange came following a new and wide-ranging interview Bremmer conducted in Canada's capital, Ottawa. As Canada approaches election day on October 21, the race is extremely close. His opponent, Conservative Party leader Andrew Scheer, has capitalized on scandals and the diminishing popularity of some of Trudeau's signature policies—on immigration, trade, and the economy.

The complete, exclusive interview is featured on the next episode of GZERO World with Ian Bremmer, which airs nationwide on public television beginning this Friday, September 27. Their conversation is also the basis of the latest Time magazine international cover story, written by Ian Bremmer, about Trudeau's battle to defend his globalist agenda as populism rises abroad.

As poll numbers suggest Canadians are increasingly disenchanted with Trudeau's approach to the global refugee crisis, the Canadian leader stood firm in his assertion that a more diverse population will make his nation stronger. Trudeau also delivered pointed criticism of the current economic policies of U.S. President Donald Trump, calling them unsustainable.

"Inequality continues to grow everywhere around the world," he said. "But it's growing less in Canada than it is in the U.S., and that is because we made a decision to say, 'trickle down doesn't work.'"

GZERO WORLD with Ian Bremmer airs nationwide on public television Fridays beginning at 11 a.m. ET. Check local listings. The interview will also be published in full on gzeromedia.com on Monday, September 30, at 10 a.m. ET.

60% of Germans believe energy transition is necessary – and they want to be more involved in decision-making

BMW Foundation

The energy transition is one of society’s biggest challenges – especially for Europe’s largest economy – according to a survey commissioned by the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt and undertaken by the Allensbach Institute for Public Opinion Research. Sixty percent of those polled believe the energy transition is necessary but have doubts about how it is being implemented. A whopping 63% would like to be more involved in energy-transition decisions affecting their region. The findings strongly suggest that it’s essential to get the public more involved in energy policymaking – to help build a future energy policy that leads to both economic prosperity and social cohesion. Read the full study “Attitudes Toward the Energy Transition” here.

G7 foreign ministers meet ahead of June summit. Could be awkward.

From left, British Foreign Minister David Lammy, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock pose for a photo during the G7 foreign ministers meeting in La Malbaie, Charlevoix, Quebec, on March 13, 2025.

SAUL LOEB/Pool via REUTERS

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Canada’s new PM is a technocratic banker who’s never been elected – that might help him

Canadian Liberal Party leader Mark Carney faces Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre in this composite, with Donald Trump hovering in the background.

Jess Frampton

Liberal Party leader Mark Carney’s previous, purported liabilities – being a staid, low-key, globalist technocrat who’s never been elected – may be seen as strengths as he prepares to call a snap election in the coming days. David Moscrop explains why.

With a ceasefire on the table, Putin tells his troops to keep fighting

Russia's President Vladimir Putin addresses commanders as he visits a control center of the Russian armed forces in the course of Russia-Ukraine conflict in the Kursk region, Russia, on March 12, 2025.

Russian Pool/Reuters TV via Reuters

Russian President Vladimir Putin made a surprise battlefield visit on Wednesday, telling troops in the Kursk region of Russia to “completely destroy” the Ukrainian forces that have occupied parts of the area for nearly seven months.

GZERO Exclusive: Trudeau Defends Free Trade, Immigration and His Credibility Amidst Scandals

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GZERO Exclusive: Trudeau Defends Free Trade, Immigration and His Credibility Amidst Scandals

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Have you stayed atop GZERO’s news coverage this week? Here’s your chance to prove it.

The US Department of Education, which Donald Trump has sought to dismantle, is laying off roughly half of its 4,100-strong workforce. But attorneys general in Democratic states are pushing back.

US tariffs and the resulting counter-tariffs threaten to disrupt supply chains, drive profits down for manufacturers, lead to job losses, and raise prices for consumers on both sides of the border.

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Ahead of the 50th G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, this summer, foreign ministers from member countries are meeting in Charlevoix, Quebec, this week. Canada, as the current president of the G7, is hosting the confab, which may be a tad … awkward.

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Liberal Party leader Mark Carney’s previous, purported liabilities – being a staid, low-key, globalist technocrat who’s never been elected – may be seen as strengths as he prepares to call a snap election in the coming days. David Moscrop explains why.

Russian President Vladimir Putin made a surprise battlefield visit on Wednesday, telling troops in the Kursk region of Russia to “completely destroy” the Ukrainian forces that have occupied parts of the area for nearly seven months.