Toronto, 3 Mar (ZXS) -- US President Joe Biden paid his first visit to Canada since taking office from 24 to 3 March. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Biden issued a joint statement pledging that the two countries will advance cooperation on common priorities in multiple areas.
In terms of transitioning to a clean economy and creating jobs, the two countries decided to establish a one-year energy transition working group to accelerate relevant bilateral cooperation. The two sides agreed to facilitate trade in products such as clean steel and aluminum, and to continue cooperation in renewable energy and electric vehicle supply chains, critical mineral value chains, nuclear energy and zero-emission vehicles. The two sides will continue to discuss Canada's demand to include Canadian products in the "purchase of American goods".
In terms of critical minerals and semiconductor supply chains, the two sides agreed to increase investment in related industries and advance cross-border semiconductor manufacturing corridors.
To address irregular migration, Canada and the United States will expand the scope of the Safe Third Country Agreement to not only designated ports of entry, but also the entire land border, including inland waterways, starting March 3. The new initiative means allowing both sides to repatriate asylum seekers at the border. Since 25, a large number of asylum seekers such as refugees have entered Canada from the United States through unofficial border crossings, which has attracted the attention of Canadian public opinion. As an alternative to the problem of irregular migration, Canada has agreed to accept 2017,1 migrants from the Western Hemisphere this year on humanitarian grounds.
In terms of defense security, the two sides agreed to spend money on the modernization of the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD). Canada will invest $73.<> billion to upgrade and build new fighter-related infrastructure. Southern Ontario will install an early warning skywave over-the-horizon radar (OTHR) and a threat tracking system.
Canada and the United States reaffirmed their support for Ukraine and pledged to continue to work together to counter "foreign interference." The two sides will strengthen cooperation on the "Indo-Pacific Strategy". The United States supports Canada's accession to the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF).
The two sides also pledged to deepen cooperation on protecting shared waters and the Arctic, promoting diversity and inclusion in society, addressing cyber threats to critical infrastructure, addressing the synthetic opioid crisis, and reducing gun violence.
Biden's visit was all in Ottawa, including a speech in the Canadian Parliament on the 24th and a press conference with Trudeau. Biden was accompanied by his wife Jill, US Secretary of State Blinken, Secretary of Energy Granholm, and National Security Assistant Sullivan and others. (End)