Trudeau to Obama: Canada will be ‘strong’ partner against IS despite jet

Manila – Canada’s prime minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday vowed to remain a “strong” partner in the worldwide fight against the Islamic State group, while indicating he would make no u-turn on pulling fighter jets out of Iraq and Syria.

5 was one of several topics Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Obama discussed during their first formal meeting since Trudeau took office earlier this month.

The Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation summit is a forum for 21 Pacific Rim economies promoting free trade in the region.

Obama added that the prime minister is a “great boost of energy” for Canada’s political landscape. He said he planned on hosting Trudeau at the White House in early 2016.

Trudeau has also had no shortage of opportunities to meet with fellow world leaders during this trip, having sat down with the leaders of the USA, China, Japan and South Korea, among others.

“At the same time, I know this is exposing a problem that needs fixing within our own legislation, and we are going to lean into this as our action”, Trudeau said. Trudeau’s embrace of policies that curb carbon emissions signal a departure from his predecessor, Stephen Harper, who had been less aggressive in tackling climate change.

“It’s going to be a wonderful time of strength in ties between our two countries”, Trudeau said.

Trudeau won power with proposals for increasing infrastructure spending as well as tax on the wealthy. Trudeau plans to fund his promises by pushing Canada into deficit.

As the U.S. and a host of other nations are looking to intensify the airstrikes against this militant group which has claimed responsibility for the terrorist attacks in Paris as well as shooting down a Russian jet, Canada is planning to shift its focus.

But Obama also said that the US and Canada will “both soon to be signatories” to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, even though Trudeau made it clear he wants to consult with Canadians and Parliament before moving forward on the deal.

“We can’t explain why we’re doing that”. The Associate Press reported saying Trudeau has recently pledged sending more military trainers to Iraq.

Trudeau said while travelling from Turkey to Manila that one of his priorities would be to talk about “a proper continental approach” in North America.