U.S. Secretary of State Discusses Bilateral Cooperation on Security and Economic Issues with Her Canadian Counterpart

Washington, Aug 20 (KUNA) -- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held talks today with his Canadian counterpart, Anita Anand, on ways to enhance bilateral cooperation on security, economic issues, and matters of mutual interest. U.S. 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 “Permanent Partners Group” on Haiti, providing 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 U.S. President Donald Trump announced yesterday the suspension of the imposition of a 50 percent tariff on Canadian imports, just hours before it was set to take effect, following the attainment of a “very fair” trade agreement for both sides. (End) A.M.M. / M.A.A.