The United States and Canada are bolstering their long-standing partnership to better tackle pressing challenges facing the two countries and the world.
President Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued a “Roadmap for a Renewed U.S.-Canada Partnership” after their joint meeting February 23. The plan outlines shared goals, such as ending the COVID-19 pandemic, fighting climate change and promoting human rights, democracy and press freedom around the world.
“Bound by history and geography, the partnership between the United States and Canada endures because we invest in each other’s success,” Biden stated in his introduction to the road map. The plan will guide U.S.-Canada partnerships in the coming years based on each country’s commitment to democratic values and international cooperation.
It was great to be back with Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau this afternoon. Whether it’s combating COVID-19 or tackling the climate crisis — we’re committed to working side-by-side on the biggest challenges we face. pic.twitter.com/eNm6uX6Bec
— President Biden (@POTUS) February 24, 2021
In remarks following the meeting, Biden called controlling COVID-19 at home and abroad the “immediate priority” of both nations.
The road map pledges U.S. and Canadian support for the World Health Organization and other international efforts to fight the pandemic. The United States and Canada both support the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access Facility (COVAX), an international effort to support access to safe, effective vaccines against COVID-19 for low and middle-income countries.
On February 19, Biden announced a $2 billion U.S. contribution to COVAX, and pledged $2 billion more, contingent on fulfillment of pledged support by other donors.
The United States and Canada also plan to build global health security to prevent future pandemics, bolster their emissions targets under the Paris Agreement to slow climate change, and strengthen global alliances and partnerships, such as the G7, the World Trade Organization and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
On climate, Biden said, “Canada and the United States are going to work in lockstep to display the seriousness of our commitment at both home and abroad.” The countries plan to cooperate on climate policies and to announce ambitious new 2030 emission reduction goals in advance of the climate summit Biden is hosting April 22.
Under the road map, both countries also plan to work toward a shared goal of improving prosperity, diversity, equity and justice for all their citizens.
“The extraordinary friendship between Canada and the United States has not just weathered changing seasons; it has grown ever deeper and stronger,” Trudeau said. “Today, we’re taking our next step forward.”