Readout of President Biden’s Meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met yesterday with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada to review implementation of the Roadmap for a Renewed U.S.-Canada Partnership launched in February 2021 to revitalize their strategic partnership. Their wide-ranging discussion included joint efforts to combat COVID-19; build back better; accelerate climate action; advance diversity and inclusion; bolster security and defense; and build global alliances. They also agreed to work jointly to address the unprecedented migration challenges facing the Western Hemisphere in 2021, and underscored the importance of continued robust cooperation under the U.S.-Canada Action Plan on Opioids as the United States surpasses 100,000 drug overdose deaths.
Following the UN Climate Conference (COP26), they reiterated their pledge to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, to enhance 2030 greenhouse gas reduction targets, and they affirmed the Global Methane Pledge. The United States and Canada plan to expand clean electricity, grow zero-emissions vehicles and charging infrastructure, and accelerate carbon sequestration. They will work to reduce oil and gas sector emissions and end new direct public support for unabated fossil fuels internationally by the end of 2022. They affirmed their commitment to nature conservation, recognizing the importance of Indigenous-led conservation efforts, and committed to unlock financing for Small Island Developing States, especially in the Caribbean. They also pledged to support the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy.
Both underscored their commitment to supply chain security and resilience by announcing the creation of a U.S.-Canada Supply Chain Working Group, which builds on the Joint Action Plan on Critical Minerals. Recognizing the extraordinary movement of migrants within the Western Hemisphere, they committed to working with other partners in the Americas on this hemispheric challenge in pursuit of a bold new regional compact on migration and protection. They committed to promoting innovation on sensitive and emerging technologies (including artificial intelligence and quantum computing), and shaping global digital policies and governance. They announced their intent to negotiate a bilateral Science, Technology, and Innovation Agreement in 2022.
Looking forward to the Summit for Democracy, the President and Prime Minister affirmed their commitment to promote democracy, human rights, and media freedom around the world. They also underscored the importance of an inclusive approach to promoting gender equality because empowering women and girls is a direct path to eradicating poverty and building a more peaceful, more inclusive, and more prosperous world.
The President and Prime Minister discussed our extensive cooperation on security, and committed to strengthen cooperation between the Five Eyes countries. They committed to establishing a Strategic Dialogue on the Indo-Pacific to promote regional security, the rule of law, good governance; to align our approaches on China and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK); as well as affirming their strategic dialogue on Arctic cooperation. Both leaders also committed to continue close collaboration on Haiti, including to strengthen the Haitian National Police’s capacity and support inclusive political dialogue. They also pledged safe passage for foreign nationals and Afghans, resettlement and humanitarian assistance, and counter-terrorism cooperation.
Recalling the shared values and history that bind us together, the Prime Minister and President confirmed a shared commitment to strengthen the Canada-U.S. partnership for our collective security and prosperity. The President expressed that he looked forward to visiting Canada in the near future.
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