Vice President Mike Pence of the United States thanked Canada for its support of the allied strikes against Syrian government chemical weapons-related targets and said a North American Free Trade Agreement deal was close.
The comments came as the vice president held talks with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of the Summit of the Americas, where Mr. Trudeau reiterated Canadian support of its traditional allies and their Syrian offensive.
The Canadian prime minister said the strikes were “unfortunate but necessary” as part of the effort to stop the Syrian government from utilizing chemical weapons on its civilians, which Damascus denies.
Canada gave a formal statement of support for the allied effort on Friday when the strikes were carried out.
Both leaders said that they were dedicated to a quick and successful NAFTA deal, with Mr. Pence saying the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump was encouraged by progress that had taken place thus far.
Reports indicated that there might have been a final agreement signed at the summit in Peru but nothing was signed in South America, however, negotiators from the U.S., Canada and Mexico are currently working on a deal in Washington.
Mr. Trump was also set to appear in person in Peru, but cancelled his trip due to the allied strikes on Syria early on Saturday local time where the U.S., United Kingdom and France fired 105 weapons on government positions.
The pair also discussed Venezuela and Pence expressed condolences for those affected by the Humboldt bus crash back in Canada’s Saskatchewan.
More details to follow. Image of Justin Trudeau and Mike Pence from Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press.
