Justin Trudeau is stunned into silence for 21 SECONDS when asked about Trump using tear gas against protesters to clear the way for a photo opportunity

• Justin Trudeau paused for 21 seconds when asked about Trump and the use of tear gas against protesters to clear the way for a photo opportunity
• Police violently broke up a peaceful and legal protest by several thousand people ahead of a speech in the Rose Garden by Trump on Monday
• Trump didn't mention the protesters or the killing of George Floyd whose death has led to demonstrations 
• During a televised interview Trudeau  struggled to come up with the right words when asked about Trump calling for military action against protesters 
• 'We all watch in horror and consternation at what is going on the United States. It is time to pull people together,' the Canadian Prime Minister eventually said 

By LEAH SIMPSON FOR DAILYMAIL.COM and ASSOCIATED PRESS- 2 June 2020

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau paused for 21 seconds when asked about U.S. President Donald Trump and the use of tear gas against protesters to clear the way for a photo opportunity.

During a televised interview Trudeau, who is usually quick to answer, struggled to come up with the right words when asked about Trump calling for military action against protesters.

He eventually said Tuesday that Canadians need to address issues of racial inequality, but he avoided mentioning Trump directly. 

'We all watch in horror and consternation at what is going on the United States,' he said. 'It is time to pull people together...it is a time to listen. It is a time to learn, when injustices continue despite progress over years and decades..'

Justin Trudeau paused for 21 seconds when asked about Trump and the use of tear gas against protesters to clear the way for a photo opportunity

Police violently broke up a peaceful and legal protest by several thousand people ahead of a speech in the Rose Garden by Trump on Monday

Trump didn't mention the protesters or the killing of George Floyd whose death has led to demonstrations

Trump held a Holy Bible but didn't pray as he stood by a sign reading 'everyone is welcome' on Monday

Police violently broke up a peaceful and legal protest by several thousand people in Lafayette Park across from the White House ahead of a speech in the Rose Garden by Trump on Monday. 

The protesters had gathered following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis a week earlier.

Afterward, Trump strolled out of the White House gates and walked across the cleared Lafayette Park to make a surprise visit to St. John's Church. Trump, standing alone in front of cameras, raised a Bible. 

He didn't mention Floyd, the church or the peaceful protesters police had just cleared away.

In the same question Trudeau was also asked what message he is sending if he didn't comment about Trump's actions.

He said his job was to address Canadians: 'Canadians need a government that will be there for them, that will support them and that will move us forward in the right direction, and I will do that.' 

Social media users noticed the very long pause on Tuesday. Some thought it was awkward and other believed he was taking the time to comment wisely. 

Trudeau has long been careful not to criticize Trump. Canada relies on the U.S. for 75 percent of exports.

During a televised interview Trudeau struggled to come up with the right words when asked about Trump calling for military action against protesters

Social media users noticed the very long pause on Tuesday. Some thought it was awkward and other believed he was taking the time to comment wisely

Police use tear gas to drive back protesters outside the White House

Trump is also known to lash out at his critics. 

Trump vowed to make Canada pay after Trudeau said he wouldn't be bullied in trade talks at the conclusion of the G7 meeting in Quebec in 2018. Trump called Trudeau 'weak' and 'dishonest.' He threatened tariffs on cars and slapped them on steel. 

'Clearly, Trudeau was not expecting this pointed question. I think he was considering whether to respond at all, which could have been taken to mean he was not going to criticize Trump,' Nelson Wiseman, a political science professor at the University of Toronto told the Associated Press.

'His comments are a criticism of Trump without naming Trump,' he said.

Wiseman said Trudeau was wise not to mention Trump directly.

'Trudeau is smart enough to know that. Trump has shown that he can blow a fuse even if he isn't mentioned directly, as happened at the end of the G7,' Wiseman said.

After the deadly white nationalist protests in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2017, Trudeau avoiding giving his opinion after Trump seemingly defended the actions of neo-Nazis, saying, there were 'some very fine people on both sides'.

Instead her responded: 'That is not how we do things in Canada. A Canadian is a Canadian is a Canadian.' 

After Trump reportedly said Haiti and some African nations are 's***hole" countries, Trudeau said: 'I think you all know that I'm not going to opine on what the president may or may not have said. I will simply repeat that Canada is a country of openness, of respect.'