US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand in Washington, DC, as the two countries sought to strengthen cooperation on security, economic matters and regional issues.
According to State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott, the two officials discussed cooperation across the Western Hemisphere. Their talks included the partnership between the US and Canada through the Standing Group of Partners in Haiti.
Rubio and Anand also exchanged views on emergency earthquake assistance for Venezuela, security in the Arctic and joint measures to tackle online scam centers and other forms of cross-border fraud.
The officials also discussed the situation in Cuba. Rubio emphasized the need for what he described as immediate, significant and irreversible reforms on the island.
The meeting took place behind closed doors shortly after US President Donald Trump announced that he had temporarily suspended a planned 50% tariff on Canadian goods ahead of a midnight deadline.
Anand said the meeting was focused on strengthening cooperation between the two neighboring countries. She highlighted the importance of working together to combat international criminal networks involved in fraudulent activities and online scam operations.
The Canadian foreign minister also raised her country’s Arctic policy and its long-term investments in continental security and NATO’s collective defense.
Regarding Haiti, both officials reaffirmed their support for Haitian-led efforts to tackle the country’s security and humanitarian challenges and restore stability. This includes support for the UN-authorized Gang Suppression Force.
Anand also emphasized that Canada intends to continue constructive discussions with Washington on trade while working to strengthen the economic relationship between the two countries.
The two officials agreed to remain in contact and hold further discussions, including during the United Nations meetings scheduled for September.
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