Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday expressed his “disappointment” over 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 it matters: The prime minister has long supported the pipeline intended to transport crude oil from Alberta to Nebraska. However, Biden campaigned for the cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline.
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What he says: At a news conference earlier Friday, Trudeau said: “We have so much alignment – not just me and President Biden, but also the Canadian and President Biden.” He added: “I’m very much looking forward to working with President Biden,” the New York Times reported.
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According to the call, however, Trudeau ’caused Canada’s disappointment with the United States’ decision on the Keystone XL pipeline.
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“The Prime Minister emphasized the important benefits of economic and energy security of our bilateral energy relationship, as well as his support for energy workers.”
The whole picture: The pipeline project originally had a cost of $ 8 billion and is expected to transport approximately 830,000 barrels of crude oil from Canada through Nebraska daily, according to The Washington Post.
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Although President Obama turned down the pipeline, President Trump once gave it the green light in office.
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Lawsuits delayed the construction of the project during Trump’s administration.
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Two Native American communities sued the government last year over the pipeline because they said the government did not consult with tribes about the proposed route of the pipeline, which crosses through tribal lands.
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The withdrawal of the permit is one of several ‘critical first steps to address the climate crisis, create good unions and promote environmental justice, while reversing the previous government’s harmful policies’, according to the Biden government.
In their Friday call, the two leaders discuss collaboration on COVID vaccines and the flow of critical medical supplies, efforts to work with indigenous peoples, and plans to address climate change through cross-border clean electricity transmission and net emissions.
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“Both leaders have put the fight against climate change, the defense of human rights and the strengthening of international institutions at the heart of their platforms,” the Times wrote.
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“The leaders have reiterated their firm commitment to multilateral institutions and alliances,” he said.
Flash back: In 2017, Trudeau designated the Keystone XL pipeline, saying: ‘No country will find 173 billion barrels of oil in the ground and leave it there alone. The resource will be developed. Our job is to ensure that it is on a responsible, safe and sustainable basis. ‘
Go deeper: Biden talks about climate in talks with foreign leaders
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