Donald Trump pledges to focus on women in the workforce during first meeting with Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau

President Donald Trump has praised America’s “outstanding” trade relationship with Canada during a meeting with prime minister Justin Trudeau.

The President told reporters during a joint press conference with the Canadian leader that he would merely “tweak” the deal between the neighbouring countries.

Justin Trudeau, who came to the United States seeking to ensure Canada was not crippled as Mr Trump re-negotiates the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta) reacted positively to the comments during the pair’s first face-to-face meeting.

Mr Trump said on Monday: "We have a very outstanding trade relationship with Canada. We'll be tweaking it.

“We'll be doing certain things that are going to benefit both of our countries. It's a much less severe situation than what's taking place on the southern border."

The President pledged to work with Canada "in pursuit of our many shared interests".

Mr Trudeau spoke of a special bond and the "deep abiding respect" between the two countries, though he also said that "relationships between neighbours are pretty complex".

While the two leaders stressed shared interests, their contrasting views were also aired.

Responding to questions from reporters, Mr Trump defended his refugee and immigration orders, saying that "we cannot let the wrong people in". Mr Trudeau, on the other hand, said Canada continued to "pursue our policies of openness".

Mr Trudeau noted that there have been times when the two countries "have differed in our approaches".

He added: "The last thing Canadians expect is for me to come down and lecture another country on how they chose to govern themselves".

Mr Trudeau gifted Mr Trump with Mr Trudeau's father, the late Canadian prime minister Pierre Trudeau.

Mr Trump said he knew and respected Pierre Trudeau and would keep the photo in a "very special place".

At a roundtable discussion with female executives from the United States and Canada, Mr Trump and Mr Trudeau announced a task force focused on women in the workforce.

Mr Trump said it was important to ensure the economy is a place where "women can work and thrive".

Mr Trump's daughter Ivanka Mr Trump was in attendance at the meeting and helped recruit participants and set the agenda.