Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday expressed his “disappointment” with President Biden’s executive order to revoke permits for the Keystone XL pipeline, in a reading of the president’s first official call with a foreign leader.
Why does it matter: The Prime Minister has long supported the pipeline to transport crude oil from Alberta to Nebraska. However, Biden campaigned for the cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline.
What it says: At a news conference earlier Friday, Trudeau said, “We have so many alignments – not just me and President Biden, but Canadians and President Biden.” He added: “I look forward to working with President Biden,” according to the New York Times.
- However, on appeal, Trudeau “raised Canada’s disappointment with the United States’ decision on the Keystone XL pipeline,” according to the reading.
- “The Prime Minister emphasized the important economic and energy security benefits of our bilateral energy relationship, as well as his support for energy workers.”
The whole picture: The pipeline project initially came in at a cost of $ 8 billion and was expected to transport approximately 830,000 barrels of crude oil from Canada daily through Nebraska, according to The Washington Post.
- Although President Obama rejected the pipeline, President Trump gave him the green light once in office.
- Lawsuits have slowed the construction of the entire Trump administration.
- Two Native American communities sued the government for the pipeline last year, accusing the government of not consulting with the tribes on the proposed pipeline route, which crosses tribal lands.
- The repeal of his permit is one of “the first critical steps in tackling the climate crisis, creating good jobs in the union and promoting environmental justice, while reversing the harmful policies of the previous administration,” according to the Biden administration.
In Friday’s call, the two leaders discussed collaboration on COVID vaccines and the flow of essential medical supplies, efforts to work with indigenous peoples and plans to address climate change through the cross-border transmission of clean electricity and zero net emissions.
- “Both leaders have made combating climate change, defending human rights and strengthening international institutions essential to their platforms,” the Times writes.
- “Leaders reiterated their strong commitment to multilateral institutions and the alliance,” he said.
Flashback: In 2017, Trudeau promoted the Keystone XL pipeline, saying: “No country will find 173 billion barrels of oil in the ground and would only leave it there. The resource will be developed. Our job is to make sure that this is done responsibly, safely and sustainably. ”
Go deeper: Biden talks about climate change with foreign leaders