Deputy PM Chrystia Freeland: Any move by US to send soldiers to the border would be seen as damaging to relations

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland says any move by the United States to send American soldiers to the border to intercept illegal migrants would be seen as damaging to Canada's relationship with the United States.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed that the two countries are discussing the possibility that U.S. troops could be deployed to the border, which was first reported by Global News.

Freeland says Canada has made its position clear at a number of levels, including at the health and political levels that such a step would be unnecessary and not appropriate, given the current public health situation in Canada involving the coronavirus.

She said keeping the border free of military presence is an important symbol of the close ties between the Canada and the U.S. and their close military partnership.