President Barack Obama and new Canadian Prime Minister
Justin Trudeau on Thursday ended a frosty period in bilateral ties by agreeing
to tackle climate change and strive to settle a long-lasting trade dispute over
Canadian softwood lumber exports.
Obama and Trudeau, whose Liberals came to power last November promising better cooperation with Washington, pledged joint steps to fight global warming, including cutting methane emissions from oil and gas operations.
The countries committed to cutting emissions of methane by 40 to 45 per cent below 2012 levels by 2025, to take steps to fight climate change in the Arctic, and to speed development of green technologies.
They also told officials to look for solutions to a lengthy dispute over exports of Canadian softwood lumber, as well as promising to make it easier for goods and people to cross the long shared border.
I am grateful that I have him (Trudeau) as a partner ... When it comes to the central challenges that we face, our two nations are more closely aligned than ever.Barack Obama, US President
The President and I agree on many things including, of paramount importance, the direction we want to take our countries in to ensure a clean and prosperous future.Justin Trudeau, Canada Prime Minister
In another sign of friendlier bilateral ties, Trudeau
invited Obama to address the Canadian Parliament this year.
(With Reuters inputs)
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