On February 23, U.S. President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held a videoconference meeting to discuss how to deal with the issue of the mainland, and Biden also promised to rescue two Canadians arrested by the Chinese Communist Party.
This was the first bilateral video conference with a foreign head of state since Biden took office, and Trudeau was the first foreign head of state to speak by phone since Biden took office.
The two sides also discussed the Chinese Communist virus (New Coronavirus) Epidemic, economic recovery, climate change, refugees and immigration, and the global struggle for democratic values and the strengthening of domestic democracy.
In a post-meeting press conference, Biden said today’s meeting was an opportunity for him and Trudeau to explore the U.S.-Canada bilateral partnership following last week’s meeting of the leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized nations to advance issues of concern in the Western Hemisphere and around the world, including working together to better respond to competition from mainland China and to counter threats to interests and values.
According to Deutsche Welle, Biden and Trudeau also addressed the fate of two Canadians who have been held by the Chinese Communist Party for more than two years during their conversation. Biden publicly pledged that the United States would work with Canada to secure the safe release of the two Canadians. He said, “Human Life is not a bargaining chip. We will work together until the two Canadians are safely released. Canada and the United States will work together to oppose violations of human rights and democratic freedoms.”
In his remarks, Trudeau thanked Biden for the assistance he will provide to Canada in securing the release of the two Canadians. He said, “We are facing tough times, but we are not alone. Canada and the United States are the closest of allies and the most important of trading partners.”
After Canada’s capture of huawei Treasurer Meng Wanzhou in 2018, former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor have been arrested and held by the Chinese Communist Party on espionage charges to this day; the two men cannot hire lawyers and are not allowed to contact their families, while Meng, who was released on bail, is free to reunite with her Family or travel in Meng, who has been released on bail, is free to reunite with her family or travel around much of Vancouver.
Beijing‘s move is widely seen as “hostage diplomacy” to pressure Canada to release Meng.
Canada’s official response has so far been criticized as too soft on the Chinese Communist Party, and there has been much international attention on whether Biden can achieve his mission to rescue the Canadian hostages.
Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, who were captured and held by the Chinese Communist Party
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