Obama said the 43-year-old prime minister will provide “energy and reform” to the Canadian political landscape.
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Obama rejected the Keystone XL pipeline project earlier this month, saying he had environmental concerns about approving the transport of dirty oil from Alberta across the United States.
Newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, 43, installed on a liberal agenda at odds with the authoritarian policies of a few other Asia-Pacific leaders, is bringing a dash of vitality to an annual forum whose most concrete outcome is usually a photo op of mainly middle-aged men in funky shirts. He says he hopes Trudeau will visit the White House early next year. We’re running. And after, we just said to ourselves, ‘Oh my God.
Earlier in the day, that won him plaudits from U.S. President Barack Obama.
“It’s going to be a wonderful time of strengthening ties between our two countries – both on the economic, on the security, on the engagement with the world and on a personal level”, Trudeau said.
“I don’t dwell on the gray hair, because there’s nothing I can do about that”, the Canadian leader replied.
Canada’s 43-year-old leader, the eldest son of former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, highlighted his commitment to tackling climate change, something Obama has been pushing as leaders prepare for global climate talks late this month in Paris.
In his youth and liberalism, Trudeau has been likened to Obama, who at 54 is more than a decade older.
In addition to the war against Islamic militants, the two leaders were also expected to discuss the refugee crisis, transpacific trade and climate change.
“This is going to be a messy, bumpy process worldwide but I am confident that we can get it done”, Obama said.
Obama also plans to work with Canada to achieve final ratification of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact, which was negotiated under Harper.
“I think [moving] forward, we need to ensure that if a situation like this arises once again, the Canadian government has more power to actually demand action from the companies responsible”, Trudeau said.
“We have always had a sense of urgency about the need to defeat ISIL”, Obama said, saying the coalition, including Canada, has exerted steady pressure on the group.
Keeping reporters apprised of the meeting, Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said the Philippines thanked Canada for making it one of the 25 “countries of focus” that will receive 90 percent of its bilateral official development assistance.
“We can’t explain why we’re doing that”.
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Trudeau also called for the restart of bidding on a new, cheaper fighter jet.
