U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a glowing review of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s time in office, describing him as a man who left the world, the continent and the bilateral relationship in a better place than he found it in 2015.
Describing him as a friend, Biden said the U.S. has no closer ally and friend than Canada and “the same can be said” of Trudeau.
Biden said Trudeau was the first foreign leader he spoke with after becoming president and that he spoke with Trudeau on Monday, after Trudeau announced his resignation, to pass on his appreciation for what they accomplished by working together.
“We’ve tackled some of the toughest issues our nations faced in decades, from the COVID-19 pandemic to climate change to the scourge of fentanyl,” Biden said.
“We’ve stood together with the people of Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression to defend our nations’ most sacred value: freedom,” the outgoing president added. “We have made generational investments to strengthen our supply chains and rebuild our economies from the bottom up and middle out.”
Biden said Trudeau “led with commitment, optimism and strategic vision,” and that the bilateral relationship “is stronger because of him.”
“The American and Canadian people are safer because of him. And the world is better off because of him,” Biden said.
Biden’s remarks stand in stark contrast to U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s reaction to Trudeau’s resignation. The incoming president used the occasion to once again suggest Canada merge with the United States.
“Many people in Canada LOVE being the 51st State. The United States can no longer suffer the massive Trade Deficits and Subsidies that Canada needs to stay afloat. Justin Trudeau knew this, and resigned,” Trump said in a post on the Truth Social platform.
“If Canada merged with the U.S.,” Trump continued, “there would be no Tariffs, taxes would go way down, and they would be TOTALLY SECURE from the threat of the Russian and Chinese Ships that are constantly surrounding them. Together, what a great Nation it would be!!!”
