On Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters that the first call from President Joe Biden’s world leader would be to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
“His first call, that of foreign leader, will be on Friday with Prime Minister Trudeau,” he said during his first press session at the White House after Biden took office.
“I hope they will surely discuss the important relationship with Canada, as well as their decision on the Keystone Pipeline that we announced today,” Psaki said.
Biden officially revoked the presidential permission the Trump administration granted to the controversial cross-border pipeline project.
The press secretary added that Biden is likely to prioritize talking to US allies.
“I would expect his first calls to be with partners and allies,” he said. “He believes it’s important to rebuild these relationships and address the challenges and threats we have in the world.”
Psaki was also asked if Biden would speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and whether they would discuss possible retaliation for the SolarWinds hack.
According to a joint statement from several U.S. agencies, including the FBI and the National Security Agency, the Russians were behind the hacking that violated U.S. government networks.
“I have no plans … to read it for you in terms of a call with President Putin,” he said.
Regarding the SolarWinds hack, he said that “we reserve the right to respond to any cyberattack at once and in the way we choose.”