Ivanka Trump takes center stage at Trudeau meeting
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks alongside Ivanka Trump (C), daughter of US President Donald Trump, and Dawn Farrell (R), President and CEO of TransAlta Corporation, during a roundtable discussion on women entrepreneurs and business leaders in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC, February 13, 2017. PHOTO: AFP
US President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka got a plum spot at America's highest table on Monday, attending her father's meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and businesswomen from both countries.
Trump, Trudeau grapple with differences on refugees, trade
Ivanka sat next to the 45-year-old Canadian premier in the White House Cabinet Room and opened the discussion after both leaders had spoken. The appearance comes amid questions over the separation of Trump family businesses from the official roles of the president and his relatives.
Trump is the first president in modern times to refuse to release his tax returns or divest from his business interests - choosing instead to put his sons in charge. His daughter also has significant business interests that have become the focus for government ethics watchdogs.
Trump last week tweeted that Ivanka had been "treated so unfairly" by Nordstrom, an upscale department-store chain that dropped her fashion brand.
And a key Trump aide is facing a possible investigation after pitching the president's daughter's fashion brand on television.
Major US stores drop Ivanka Trump products
Speaking with the White House seal clearly visible over her shoulder, Counsellor to the President Kellyanne Conway gave Ivanka Trump's clothing a rave review during a Fox interview, urging shoppers to "go buy Ivanka's stuff."