By: Thomas I. Likness
EBC News Service

(Eagle News) — The leaders of the United States and Canada have committed to working together to end the global pandemic, rebuild their economies and fight climate change.

President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met virtually Tuesday for two hours in what was Biden’s first meeting with a foreign leader.

“The United States has no closer friend, no closer friend than Canada,” Biden said.

“Canada and the United States are each other’s closest allies, most important trading partners and oldest friends, said Trudeau.

The pandemic topped the agenda.

“For both our nations, getting Covid under control at home and around the world is an immediate priority,” said Biden.

Trudeau echoed those words.

“We stand united to beat this pandemic and build a better tomorrow and I know our bond will grow even stronger,” he said. “Job one remains keeping people safe and ending this pandemic.”

Biden said the two also agreed to work to ensure that Canada and the United States have a robust economic recovery that benefits everyone, not just those at the top.

“That’s especially important because we know that this pandemic is not affecting everyone the same way,” said Biden. “Women are dropping out of the workforce at alarming rates, Black, Latino and Native and other minorities are particularly hard hit.”

Climate change is another area the two agreed to work on.

“We also doubled down on our efforts to tackle climate change which was really, really encouraging,” said Biden. “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 the United States are going to work in lockstep to display the seriousness of our commitment at both home and abroad,” he added.

Other issues the two leaders have agreed to work together on include eliminating systemic racism, defence and security, and China.

Biden criticized China for the detention of two Canadian businessmen arrested in China in retaliation for the arrest in Canada of a top Huawei executive.

“Human beings are not bartering chips, we are going to work together until their safe return,” promised Biden.

Trudeau thanked Biden for his support on the issue.

Biden said Tuesday’s meeting will be the first of many he hopes to have with Canadian leaders.
(Eagle News Service)