Joe Biden tells China to free two Canadians being held by China after he holds virtual talks with Justin Trudeau for his first summit with a world leader saying 'human beings are not bartering chips'
President Joe Biden gave a warning to China on behalf of the Canadians, promising Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau he would help get two imprisoned Canadians back from the Chinese.
'Human beings are not bartering chips,' Biden said, addressing reporters and Trudeau through a video screen. 'You know, we're going to work together until we get their safe return.'
Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were detained by the Chinese in December 2018 and charged with spying last June. They were detained just weeks after Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer for Huawei, was arrested in Vancouver, as she's wanted on multiple charges, including bank fraud, in the U.S.
President Joe Biden (right) stands alongside a vertical TV screen where Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (left) waits to give his remarks after the two leaders held virtual bilateral talks Tuesday from Washington and Ottawa respectively
President Joe Biden told China to free two Canadians Michael Spavor (left) and Michael Kovrig (right) who were imprisoned by China in the weeks following Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou's arrest in Canada over U.S. charges
MEANWHILE IN OTTAWA: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (right) stands alongside a television screen beaming in remarks from American President Joe Biden
Reporters take photos of President Joe Biden as he listens to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speak at the conclusion of their virtual talks from the White House's East Room
When it was Trudeau's turn to speak, the Canadian leader thanked Biden for this comments.
'I would like to thank President Biden for his support for the release of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor from arbitrary detention in China,' Trudeau said.
The imprisoned Canadians were one of an assortment of issues to two world leaders talked about in Biden's first 'bilat' with a world leaders.
Thanks to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Biden chose to hold the meeting with Trudeau and their teams virtually.
'The United States has no closer and no more important friend than Canada,' Biden said.
During statements made at the conclusion of the meetings from the White House's East Room, where Trudeau beamed in on a vertical television screen, Biden called the pandemic an 'immediate priority,' and pledged that the two countries would work together strengthening the supply chain.
Trudeau noted that that work would benefit 'the people hardest hit.'
Biden also said that the two countries 'agreed to double down' on climate change.
Earlier, when reporters were in the Roosevelt Room at the beginning of the meeting, Trudeau said Canada was 'really excited' to be working with the U.S. again on climate change.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is photographed speaking on the phone with newly sworn-in president, Joe Biden, on January 22. Trudeau was the first leader
Issues on table for Biden and Trudeau: climate change, COVID pandemic and vaccine, Keystone XL pipeline, Biden's 'Buy American' policy, and China
Joe Biden met with Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau when he was vice president in December 2016
Former President Donald Trump had pulled the U.S. out of the Paris climate agreement, and had previously referred to global warming as a Chinese 'hoax.'
Biden announced the U.S. would be rejoining Paris on day No. 1.
'U.S. leadership has been sorely missed over the past years,' Trudeau also remarked.
Throughout the day, he would repeat his English comments in French.
As reporters were leaving the Roosevelt Room, Biden could be heard telling the Canadian leader he tried for five years to learn French.
'Every time I tried to speak it I made such a fool out of myself,' the president said.
Biden's Secretary of State Tony Blinken, however, is fluent.
Blinken, as well as Vice President Kamala Harris and national security adviser Jake Sullivan sat in on the session with Trudeau, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, Foreign Affairs Minister Marc Garneau and Canada's ambassador to the United States, Kirsten Hillman.
No comments