On Friday, the United States and Canada vowed to work together against authoritarian governments “both at home and abroad.” The pledge was made during a meeting between US President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during the former’s visit to Canada. According to Reuters, the two countries would accomplish this goal in part by lowering their reliance on other countries for vital minerals and semiconductors, notably “an increasingly assertive China.” Speaking to the Canadian parliament in Ottawa, the American President stated that he believes Canada and the US can collaborate to develop “reliable and resilient supply chains,” and that the two countries “shared prosperity” is linked to their “shared security.”
Trudeau stated that the US and Canada must collaborate to create a North American market for everything from semiconductors to solar panel batteries
“I believe we have an incredible opportunity to work together, so Canada and the United States can source and supply here in North America everything we need for reliable and resilient supply chains,” said Biden adding that as NATO members, the two countries would “defend every inch of NATO territory”. Speaking in parliament as well, Trudeau stated that the United States and Canada must collaborate to create a North American market for everything from semiconductors to solar panel batteries. “With growing competition, including from an increasingly assertive China, there’s no doubt why it matters that we turn to each other now to build up a North American market on everything from semiconductors to solar panel batteries,” he said.
While Canada already has an “abundance” of essential minerals used in the creation of batteries and electric vehicles (EVs), China now leads the worldwide market, according to Reuters. “Our way of living is facing multiple threats at the same time,” said Trudeau. As per Reuters, he also repeated three times in his speech the phrase “Security policy is climate policy is economic policy.” The Canadian leader expressed unity with the United States in supporting Ukraine and said that the two allies must continue “to face down authoritarian threats, both at home and abroad.”