OTTAWA, February 24. /TASS/. Governments of the US and Canada have prepared a roadmap on a number of issues, and are ready to begin implementing it immediately, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in the wake of his online meeting with US President Joe Biden.
"Today, we’re taking our next step forward. The President [Biden] 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," he said. "So we’re not wasting any time in getting down to work."
Trudeau explained that the two states will prioritize localizing the coronavirus pandemic, creating jobs for middle class, fighting poverty and climate change, fighting extremism, supporting multiculturalism policy and switching to renewable energy sources.
"We’re facing tough times, there’s no doubt, but we’re not facing them alone. Canada and the United States are each other’s closest allies, most important trading partners, and oldest friends," the Prime Minister underscored.
He also thanked Biden for his readiness to assist in release of two Canadian citizens, which, according to Ottawa, are being illegally held in custody in China.
Diplomatic tensions sparked between Canada and the US in December 2018, after Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou was apprehended in Vancouver. She faces deportation to the US over charges of fraud and violation of anti-Iranian sanctions. Later, Chinese authorities apprehended two Canadian citizens, and charged them with acting against Beijing’s national security.