The leaders of the U.S. and Canada met virtually Tuesday to reset relations following the Trump era.
In a virtual summit Tuesday afternoon, the two leaders highlighted mutual policy priorities around climate change and China.
Canada is often the preferred destination for a U.S. president’s first foreign visit, but Covid-19 scuppered Mr Biden’s plans. Instead, the meeting was held remotely.
President Biden said the U.S. would help Canada secure the release of two Canadians held by Beijing, saying they were not bartering chips, while both leaders vowed to align climate goals to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
Prime Minister Trudeau also pledged to work with the US to “get through Covid but also to make sure we’re pulling our weight around the world.”
In his opening remarks, the Canadian PM criticized the Trump administration, and thanked Mr Biden for “stepping up” to the climate change challenge.
The two leaders did not publicly comment on the White House’s decision to cancel the Keystone XL pipeline project, which would have boosted oil supplies from Canada’s Alberta province to U.S. refineries.
