Forget international politics. One of the biggest stories floating around the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation leaders’ summit this week in the Philippines concerned the relative handsomeness of Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto and new Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Mexico vs Canada: Who’s your ‘APEC hottie?’ headlined the Philippine Star. “Ladies: Are you with Team Nieto or Team Trudeau?” read a caption under the photo of the two leaders in the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Judging from the warm smiles and laughter that characterized the first meeting between the pair, good looks isn’t all they have in common.
According to Peña Nieto, during their face-to-face meeting Trudeau formally committed to lifting the visa requirement for Mexicans traveling to Canada imposed in 2009 by then Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
A spokesperson for Trudeau confirmed that the prime minster had given instructions for steps to be taken to lift the requirement but was unable to say when this might happen.
Peña Nieto and Trudeau also discussed their forthcoming meeting with U.S. Prescient Barack Obama – the Tres Amigos Summit - that had been put on hold by Harper.
Peña Nieto also said that he had invited Trudeau to visit Mexico.