During opening remarks at the bilateral virtual meeting with US President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau commented on the failures of the previous Trump administration.

“U.S. leadership has been sorely missed over the past years and I have to say as we’re preparing the joint communique from this one, it’s nice when the Americans are not pulling out all references to climate change and instead adding them in,” said Trudeau.

Vice President Kamala Harris referenced her years living in Montreal and commented on the similarities between the two countries.

The White House has not acknowledged Canada’s wish list for virtual summit and instead released its own fact sheet that lays out six priority areas, including battling the pandemic and rebuilding the economy on both sides of the border.

But it makes no mention of helping free Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig from China, or securing a Canadian exemption to Biden’s Buy American plan.

Just prior to the meeting, Joe Biden tweeted he’s looking forward to his first bilateral meeting as president and is committed to strengthening the partnership between the two countries.

Before the virtual meeting began, strategist Charles Sousa told Zoomer Radio’s Fight Back with Libby Znaimer that he worries about what will be accomplished.

“I am concerned about some of the issues in regards to the keystone pipeline and the buy America strategy and I just warn our leaders to be cautious as they go forward because while Trump was very clear and loud, nothing is worse than those who are silent and deadly.”