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North American leaders vow to cooperate against rising protectionism

Xinhua, June 30, 2016 Adjust font size:

The leaders of Canada, the United States and Mexico pledged to further their cooperation in fighting against rising protectionism at the close of the North American Leaders Summit held here Wednesday.

The three leaders also agreed to pledged to produce 50 percent of their countries' electricity from clean energy by 2025.

At a joint press conference with U.S. President Barack Obama and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto after their meeting, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said they had friendly but "frank" talks and they agreed to align their respective climate and energy policies and work on resolving border issues.

"Today we turned that resolve into action, with the negotiation of an ambitious and enduring North American Climate, Clean Energy and Environment Partnership," Trudeau said.

"This partnership will see our countries stand side-by-side as we work toward the common goal of a North America that is competitive, that encourages clean growth, and that protects our shared environment now, and for generations to come," he added

"We had the opportunity to discuss the continuing strength of our business, commercial, trade and people-to-people ties," Obama said.

"The United States is not just a friend and neighbour of Mexico, but the very character of the United States is shaped by Mexican Americans who have shared our culture, our politics, our business."

"All too often we're hearing rhetoric that ignores the enormous contributions that have been made by Mexican Americans and the enormous strengths we draw from the relationship," Obama said in an apparent reference to Donald Trump's controversial campaign remarks.

Obama also revealed that the three countries will launch "North American caucus" on a regular base to make a formal effort to co-ordinate approaches on regional and global issues.

Pena Nieto also offered a rebuke against rising American protectionist forces. "The world is teaching us lessons."

The Mexican president avoided any mention of Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for U.S. president who has vowed to rip up the North American Free Trade Agreement and build a wall between the United States and Mexico. At the press conference, Trudeau has also refrained from any direct criticism of Trump. Endit