PRIME Minister Justin Trudeau on Saturday announced that he will hold a bilateral meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday, February 23. This will be the first bilateral meeting between Canada and the Biden administration. The two leaders will meet virtually.

During the meeting, Trudeau and Biden will advance shared priorities, and work together to end the global COVID-19 pandemic. They will discuss their shared vision for a strong economic recovery, growing the middle class and creating jobs, maintaining strong supply chains, climate change, their bilateral energy relationship, defence and security, and promoting diversity and inclusion.

Trudeau said: “Canada and the United States share one of the strongest and deepest friendships between any two countries in the world. It is built on common values, strong ties between our people, and a shared geography. I look forward to my meeting with President Biden, where we will work together to end the COVID-19 pandemic and support people in both our countries.”

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement: “In this virtual event, the President will highlight the strong and deep partnership between the United States and Canada as neighbors, friends and NATO Allies.  The meeting will be an opportunity for the two leaders to review joint efforts in areas of mutual interest such as the COVID-19 response, climate change, and the economic ties that bind our countries, as well as the deep people-to-people bonds we share.  

“President Biden and his Cabinet will also meet virtually with Canada’s Ministers on a range of bilateral and global issues.”

Quick Facts

• Canada and the United States share one of the largest trading relationships in the world.
• Canada is the United States’ largest customer and buys more goods from the United States than China, Japan, and the United Kingdom combined.
• Canada is the top trading partner for most U.S. states.
• Canadian companies operating in the United States directly employ 725,000 Americans.
• Canada and the United States have worked side by side in the North American Aerospace Defence Command since the pact was created in 1957.
• The joint stewardship of the environment is a cornerstone of Canada-U.S. relations, from air and water quality to wildlife management. This includes at least 50 federal bilateral arrangements, more than 100 arrangements at the state and provincial level and the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909.
• Canada is the largest supplier of all forms of energy to the U.S.