Canadian diplomats told: 'No more Justin Trudeau cut-outs'

Canadian diplomats have been instructed to stop using cardboard cut-outs of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to promote their country abroad.

Life-size Trudeaus were spotted at an official tourism stand at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas, and at the Canadian consulate in Atlanta, Georgia, the BBC reports.

Visitors lined up to take a selfie with the cardboard PM and share the photo on social media.

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However, the authorities in Canada did not share the joke and have instructed diplomats to put the replicas back in the cupboard.

Michael O'Shaughnessy, Canada's global affairs spokesman, told CBC: "We are aware of instances where our missions in the United States had decided to purchase and use these cut-outs.

"The missions have been asked to no longer use these for their events."

Trudeau's youthful charisma has attracted international attention and turned him into a major selling point for delegations promoting Canada abroad.

His first meeting with Donald Trump was the subject of particular mirth on social media.

A video clip of Trudeau resisting one of the US President's trademark aggressive handshakes went viral, as did photos appearing to show Trump's daughter, Ivanka, supposedly "swooning" as they were introduced.