Biden, Trudeau united against authoritarian regimes
US President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau presented a united front on Friday against authoritarian regimes as Mr Biden visited the Canadian capital days after the leaders of China and Russia held a Moscow summit.
Images of Mr Biden and Mr Trudeau standing side by side in Ottawa announcing agreements including on semiconductors and migration represented a counter point to the scene in Moscow days ago.
There, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin professed friendship and pledged closer ties as Russia struggles to make gains in what the West considers an unjust invasion of Ukraine.
At a joint news conference with Mr Trudeau, Mr Biden questioned the level of China and Russia’s cooperation, noting that China has not
provided weapons to Russia for use against Ukraine.
Mr Biden said the US had expanded alliances including with Nato, the G7, South Korea and the Quad nations of the US, Australia, India and Japan.
“We have significantly expanded our alliances,” said Mr Biden. “Tell me how in fact you see a circumstance where China has made a significant commitment to Russia. What commitment can they make?”
Addressing Canada’s parliament, Mr Biden said that, as Nato members, the two countries would “defend every inch of Nato territory”.
Mr Trudeau told the news conference that Ukraine was a top issue.
“Today we reaffirmed our steadfast support for the Ukrainian people as they defend themselves against Putin’s brutal and barbaric invasion,” Mr Trudeau said.
At the news conference, Mr Trudeau announced the two leaders had signed an agreement with IBM to develop semiconductor capacity and ease reliance on foreign makers after supply-chain problems bedevilled both countries.
The US Defense Production Act will give US$250 million, Mr Biden said.
Canada has an abundance of the critical minerals used to produce batteries and electric vehicles (EVs), but China dominates the market.
Mr Trudeau is preparing a budget for Tuesday aimed at scaling up critical mineral and clean tech production.
“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,” Mr Trudeau said.
Mr Biden announced $50 million to incentivise US and Canadian companies to invest in packaging semiconductors and said Canada would provide up to C$250 million ($182 million) for chip projects.