White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters on Wednesday that President Joe Biden’s first world leadership call would be for Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
“His first call, a foreign leader call, will be with Prime Minister Trudeau on Friday,” she said during her first White House press conference after Biden’s inauguration.
“I expect that they will definitely discuss the important relationship with Canada, as well as his decision on the Keystone Pipeline that we announced today,” Psaki said.
Biden has officially revoked the presidential permit granted by the Trump administration to the controversial oil pipeline project.
The press secretary added that Biden is likely to give priority to talking to US allies.
“I would expect his early calls to take place with partners and allies,” she said. “He feels it is important to rebuild these relationships and address the challenges and threats we face in the world.”
Psaki was also asked whether Biden would speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin and discuss their possible retaliation against the SolarWinds cap.
According to a joint statement by several U.S. agencies, including the FBI and the National Security Agency, the Russians were probably behind the hood that violated U.S. government networks.
“I have no plans to read to you in terms of a call with President Putin,” she said.
On the SolarWinds hack, she said: “We reserve the right to respond to any cyber-attack at any time and in any way we choose.”