Canadian diplomats told: 'No more Justin Trudeau cut-outs'
Authorities take action after cardboard replicas of charismatic Prime Minister pop up around the US
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.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
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.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
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.
-
Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designationThe Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago


