Summary Spokesman Josh Earnest said Obama would speak to the prime minister-elect as soon as Tuesday
WASHINGTON (AFP) - The White House on Tuesday welcomed the election victory of Canada s Liberal leader Justin Trudeau and expressed hope his government would step up actions to fight climate change.
Spokesman Josh Earnest said President Barack Obama would speak to the prime minister-elect as soon as Tuesday, and indicated the White House hopes his government will help reach a major global climate deal in December.
"Canada has also made a substantial and important commitment in advance of the Paris climate talks," Earnest said, praising the government of outgoing Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
He added, however, "We believe that it s possible that there is more that Canada can do in this regard."
"The United States, and certainly President Obama congratulates prime minister designate Justin Trudeau on the Liberal Party s victory in yesterday s elections," Earnest said.
"I would expect the president will have the opportunity today to call Mr Trudeau to congratulate him on that election victory."
Earnest said the White House was "deeply appreciative" of his work "to build a strong US-Canada relationship."
Obama and Harper s government had clashed over climate policy and the approval of the transborder Keystone pipeline.
Earnest said "it would be shortsighted to reduce the relationship between our two countries to just one issue."
