US Secretary of State Discusses Bilateral Cooperation on Security and Economic Issues with Her Canadian Counterpart

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held talks with his Canadian counterpart, Anita Anand, on Thursday, discussing ways to enhance bilateral cooperation on security, economic issues, and matters of shared interest.

State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement that the meeting focused on strengthening coordination on shared priorities in security, economic, and regional areas.

Pigott added that Secretary Rubio reiterated during the meeting the shared priorities in the Western Hemisphere, including the ongoing partnership with Canada under the “Group of Permanent Partners” for Haiti, the provision of emergency aid to address earthquakes in Venezuela, and security in the Arctic region.

He clarified that the two sides also discussed joint efforts to eliminate online fraud centers and the need for “immediate, fundamental, and irreversible reforms in Cuba.”

The meeting comes after US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday the suspension of the imposition of a 50% tariff on Canadian imports, just hours before it was set to take effect, following the reach of a “very fair” trade agreement for both sides.