Canadian Prime Minister and Trump meet in the White House

Both leaders stressed the countries’ shared economic goals and co-operation at a White House news conference.

But their responses to questions about Syrian refugees underscored their contrasting policies on immigration.

Mr Trump defended his controversial travel ban, saying he wanted “to have a big beautiful, open door” but that “we cannot let the wrong people in”.

The US president has come under international scrutiny for issuing an executive order temporarily banning entry of all refugees and visitors from seven mainly Muslim countries.

A federal judge has issued a temporary nationwide block on the travel ban, but the issue of refugees appeared to overshadow the joint news conference.

Mr Trudeau said the US and Canada had always been strong allies, fighting alongside one another on the battlefields.

“But there are times when we have differed in our approaches. And that’s always been done firmly and respectfully”, he said.

The prime minister added that Canada continues to “pursue our policies of openness” and would serve as a “positive example in the world”.

The two men, however, emphasised their commitment to provide growth and jobs for people on both sides of the northern border.