Trudeau sidesteps ambassador´s comments about strength of defence in Meng case
(The Star Toronto Raptors)

OTTAWA - Justin Trudeau says he expects the Huawei executive Canada arrested last month will mount a defence to avoid being extradited to the United States but would not say whether he thinks she has a good case.The prime minister appeared to be sidestepping remarks by his envoy to China that there are strong legal arguments Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou can make to help her avoid extradition to the United States.`We have always highlighted that Canada is a country of the rule of law, and we will make sure that the rule of law is properly and fully followed. That of course includes the opportunity for her to mount a strong defence,` Trudeau told reporters in Saskatchewan.`The strength of our justice system is people get to mount their own defence. I know she will do that.`On Tuesday, John McCallum, Canada´s ambassador to China, told Chinese reporters in the Toronto area there were several arguments Meng´s legal team can make in her defence.She was arrested Dec. 1 by Canadian authorities in Vancouver at the behest of U.S. authorities, who have alleged she used a Huawei subsidiary to evade sanctions against Iran.He was speaking to Chinese reporters Tuesday in the Toronto area, and listed several arguments Meng´s legal team can make in her defence.Meng´s arrest has put Canada in a deeply uncomfortable position between two sparring superpowers, which are also its two largest trading partners. As a result, the Canada-China relationship has deteriorated in recent weeks and Beijing has warned Ottawa of serious consequences unless she is released.McCallum said her lawyer could argue that there has been possible political involvement following recent comments by U.S. President Donald Trump. Last month, Trump raised questions about the basis of the extradition request by musing in an interview with Reuters about intervening in Meng´s case if it would help him strike a trade deal with China.McCallum also said she can argue against the extra-territorial aspect to her case a ...