White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on Wednesday that President Joe Biden’s first call for world leader would be to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
“His first call, the call of a foreign leader, will be with Prime Minister Trudeau on Friday,” she said at her first press conference at the White House following Biden’s inauguration.
“I expect they will certainly discuss the important relationship with Canada as well as his decision on the Keystone Pipeline that we announced today,” said Psaki.
Biden has officially revoked the presidential license the Trump administration had granted to the controversial cross-border oil pipeline project.
The press secretary added that Biden is likely to prioritize speaking to US allies.
“I would expect his first calls will be with partners and allies,” she said. “He thinks it’s important to rebuild those relationships and to address the challenges and threats we face in the world.”
Psaki was also asked if Biden will speak to Russian President, Vladimir Putin, and if they would discuss possible retaliation against the SolarWinds hack.
According to a joint statement from several US agencies, including the FBI and the National Security Agency, Russians were likely behind the hack that breached US government networks.
“I have no plans … to read to you in terms of an interview with President Putin,” she said.
Regarding the SolarWinds hack, she said, “We reserve the right to respond to any cyberattack at any time and in any manner of your choosing.”