Trudeau to get first phone call with Biden

The White House says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will speak with newly inaugurated U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday.

Press secretary Jen Psaki says Trudeau will be the first foreign leader to speak with Biden since his inauguration.

Tune in for the first press briefing of the Biden-Harris Administration with Press Secretary Jen Psaki. https://t.co/psa19eCLQa

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 20, 2021

The two have a lot to talk about: hours after his inauguration, Biden signed an executive order effectively cancelling the US$8-billion Keystone XL pipeline expansion.

In a statement, Trudeau says he's disappointed in the decision, but appreciates Biden's commitment to climate change — a sign Ottawa isn't going to push hard on trying to reverse the decision.

Please read my statement on Keystone XL: https://t.co/rgPY3Izp7U

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 20, 2021

He says workers in Alberta, Saskatchewan and across Canada will always have the federal government's support.

Trudeau cheered some of Biden's other Day 1 decisions, including rejoining the Paris climate accord, blocking oil and gas drilling in the Arctic and renewing ties with the World Health Organization.