Friday, August 16, 2019 ~ OTTAWA
~ West Shore Voice News
Today August 16, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with US President Donald Trump.
In their phone call, Trudeau and Trump reaffirmed their support for the new North American Free Trade Agreement and welcomed ongoing work towards its ratification, it was reported in a statement from the Prime Minister’s office.
The two leaders also discussed relations with China, including the continued arbitrary detention of two Canadians and ongoing developments in Hong Kong.
They also discussed current challenges in the global economy. The PMO’s statement said both leaders “looked forward to deepening their discussion on this and other issues when they see each other at the upcoming G7 Summit in Biarritz, France”. That summit takes place August 24 to 26.
The 2019 G7 Summit, presided over by France, is intending to focus on fighting inequality. France has identified the following five objectives for the Summit:
- fighting inequality of opportunity, promoting in particular gender equality, access to education and high quality health services;
- reducing environmental inequality by protecting our planet through climate finance and a fair ecological transition, preserving biodiversity and the oceans;
- strengthening the social dimension of globalization through more fair and equitable trade, tax and development policies;
- taking action for peace against security threats and terrorism which weaken the foundations of our societies; and
- tapping into the opportunities created by digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI).