Canada’s Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Joe Biden agreed to satisfy subsequent month, the prime minister’s workplace stated on Friday, following a name between the 2 leaders wherein they vowed to affix forces to fight coronavirus in North America.
Trudeau, who has been eager to embrace the brand new president and transfer on from the customarily tumultuous Donald Trump years, was the primary overseas chief to talk with Biden since Wednesday’s inauguration.
The two “recognized that both countries’ fundamental priority is to end the global COVID-19 pandemic,” Trudeau’s workplace stated in a press release.
They additionally mentioned collaboration on vaccines. It shouldn’t be clear whether or not the assembly subsequent month might be nose to nose or digital, stated a Canadian authorities supply who requested anonymity given the sensitivity of the state of affairs.
The White House stated the 2 leaders highlighted the “strategic importance of the U.S.-Canada relationship” and mentioned cooperation on a wide-ranging agenda together with combating COVID-19.
“It was a very positive call,” the Canadian supply stated. “Biden really has a fondness for Canada. He understands that we are a partner and ally of the United States, which is a marked change from the last four years.”
Trudeau and Biden have careworn the necessity to do extra to combat local weather change and “they spent quite about of time talking about that,” the supply added.
Trudeau, the supply stated, raised two contentious subjects – Biden’s transfer to scrap a allow for the Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada to the United States and his proposal to introduce a “Buy America” coverage that may shut out Canadian corporations from profitable U.S. authorities initiatives.
The two neighbors, with one of many world’s largest bilateral buying and selling relationships, have extremely built-in economies, and Canada fears “Buy America” may harm badly. Trudeau “made the point that we should avoid unintended consequences that can hurt both countries,” stated the supply.
Trudeau reiterated Canada’s disappointment concerning the pipeline however didn’t attempt to change Biden’s thoughts, the supply stated. Scrapping the venture had been one of many Democrat’s marketing campaign commitments.
The White House assertion stated Biden acknowledged Trudeau’s disappointment. Pipeline builder TC Energy Corp stated it will get rid of greater than 1,000 building jobs in coming weeks because of the cancellation.
The two leaders additionally agreed to broaden cooperation on continental protection and within the Arctic, and stated their respective high protection and overseas affairs could be assembly on the earliest alternative, the Canadian assertion stated.
Trudeau urged Biden to take away duties in opposition to Canadian exports of softwood lumber, which U.S. trade has lengthy protested are excessively sponsored. The two nations have been arguing over the exports for many years.
