PRIME Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday agreed to meet next month in order “to advance the important work of renewing the deep and enduring friendship between Canada and the United States.”
The two leaders recognized that both countries’ fundamental priority is to end the global COVID-19 pandemic. They discussed collaboration on vaccines and acknowledged that the two countries’ efforts are strengthened by existing exchanges of medical personnel and the flow of critical medical supplies. They discussed working closely together to defeat COVID-19 by responding to new variants and following expert advice, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Trudeau and Biden discussed their shared vision for sustainable economic recovery, creating jobs, and growing the middle class. To that end, they discussed strengthening Canada-U.S. supply chain security and resilience.
Reflecting on the extraordinary and deeply interconnected economic relationship between the two countries, and with a view to promoting and protecting it, the Prime Minister and President agreed to consult closely to avoid measures that may constrain bilateral trade, supply chains, and economic growth.
Trudeau raised Canada’s disappointment with the United States’ decision on the Keystone XL pipeline. He underscored the important economic and energy security benefits of the Canada-U.S. bilateral energy relationship as well as his support for energy workers.
The Prime Minister and President reiterated the urgent need for ambitious action on climate change, reaffirmed their commitment to the Paris Agreement, and agreed to work together on net-zero emissions, zero-emissions vehicles, cross-border clean electricity transmission, and the Arctic.
The two leaders discussed their shared commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion, including by working in partnership with Indigenous peoples.
Trudeau and Biden agreed to expand cooperation on continental defence and in the Arctic, including the need to modernize NORAD, and discussed their Foreign Affairs and National Defence ministers and secretaries of State and Defense meeting at the earliest opportunity.
The two leaders reaffirmed their shared values and interests on the global stage. They discussed the arbitrary detention of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor and agreed to work together.
They reiterated their firm commitment to multilateral institutions and alliances. Trudeau raised the importance of the softwood lumber industry, and urged the removal of duties.
“Prime Minister Trudeau, President Biden and their respective teams look forward to further discussing their expanding cooperation at their upcoming meeting,” the PMO statement said.
