Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Joe Biden emerged from their meeting today promising a new tone in Canada-U.S. relations to help the two countries tackle key issues such as climate change, the imprisonment of two Canadians in China and the post-pandemic economic recovery.
“The president and I discussed the ambitious new partnership roadmap, based on shared values and priorities, that will guide our countries’ work together over the coming years,” Trudeau said.
“In the face of COVID-19, of climate change, of rising inequality, this is our moment to act. So we’re not wasting any time in getting down to work. Job one remains keeping people safe and ending this pandemic,” he added.
Biden stressed the importance of tackling the pandemic but also spoke about working with Canada to influence other countries to step up their game on global challenges such as climate change.
“We also doubled down on our efforts to tackle climate change. It was really really encouraging,” Biden said. “Now that the United States is back in the Paris agreement, we intend to demonstrate our leadership in order to spur other countries to raise their own ambitions.
“Canada and United States are going to work in lockstep to display the seriousness of our commitment at both home abroad,” the president said.
A key part of that effort, Biden said, would be working to align the two countries’ climate goals to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Biden also reaffirmed his administration’s pledge to help Canada secure the release of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, who have been imprisoned in China for the past two years.
Kovrig and Spavor were detained in December 2018 shortly after Huawei telecom executive Meng Wanzhou was arrested by Canadian officials while she was changing planes in Vancouver. Meng was arrested on a U.S. extradition request over allegations she lied to a Hong Kong banker in August 2013 about Huawei’s control of a subsidiary accused of violating U.S. sanctions against Iran.
“Human beings are not bartering chips,” Biden said. “We’re going to work together to get their safe return. Canada and the United States will stand together against abuse of universal rights and democratic freedoms.”
Biden said the two countries also agreed to better coordinate their approach toward China to protect against threats to both countries’ interests and values.
Source : CBC News
