Thank you very much to both of you for your testimony. I'll apologize right up front if I put you on the spot with some of my questions. I'll direct my questions as well.
Mr. Robertson, you talked about your 10th recommendation, which had to do with peer-to-peer relationships, and I agree. I think the most important relationship, of course, is the one between the two heads of state of the two countries.
To be very honest with you, I think the relationship between our current Prime Minister and the President of the United States is a very frosty one. I don't think it's much better with Mexico, to be honest with you. Mr. Dade mentioned that it was in part because the current administration in the United States did not really put much importance on Canada, but it takes two to tango. I found it completely regrettable that the summit of the three amigos that was meant to occur in February was cancelled, and it was Canada that decided to do that with our most important trading partner and neighbour, and with a very important emerging partner, Mexico.
What is your feeling about the importance of the relationship between heads of state, specifically between Canada and the United States? There have been good examples of strong relationships between Mulroney and Reagan, and Clinton and Chrétien. How important is that, in your opinion, in terms of helping with issues such as trade and other things?