Justin Trudeau's public romance with Katy Perry fuels criticism amid trade talks

A video showing former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau performing a light-hearted dance with pop singer Katy Perry in a Montreal hardware store has drawn widespread attention and criticism. The two, whose relationship began after both separated from their former partners—Trudeau from Sophie Grégoire Trudeau and Perry from Orlando Bloom—have been photographed together on yachts, in European resorts, and at diplomatic events such as a meeting with former Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida and his wife Yuko.

Trudeau, who recently spoke about the stalled US-Canada trade negotiations, appears to be balancing diplomatic responsibilities with a highly visible personal life. Their joint appearance at the Tribeca Film Festival premiere of Perry’s concert film was covered by entertainment outlets, where Trudeau admitted he was more focused on his girlfriend than the show. Observers note the contrast between his former role as a world leader and the celebrity-centric image he now projects.