Applauding China, questioning Canada’s Conservative Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre’s loyalty, and getting the numbers wrong. President Joe Biden paid a by-the-books visit to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Canada and delivered remarks to the Canadian Parliament. It was the first US presidential trip to Ottawa since 2016 when then-President Barack Obama made a stop in the Great White North’s capital. Biden championed the importance of America's relationship with its neighbor to the north, calling it a "no more liable ally, no more steady friend." His speech drew routine applause from Canadian lawmakers, a stark contrast to the scandal-plagued incumbent prime minister.
Biden Talks Deposit Insurance in Canada
During a joint press conference with Trudeau, the US president confirmed that federal deposit insurance could be used for deposits above $250,000 if other financial institutions fail, noting that his administration has "done a pretty damn good job" throughout the latest banking turmoil. This comes as investors have become frustrated by the lack of clarity from the administration over support for uninsured deposits in the national banking system.
"People’s savings are secure, and even those beyond the $250,000 the FDIC [Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation] is guaranteeing them. And the American taxpayer is not going to have to pay a penny. The banks are in pretty good shape," Biden told reporters, assuring the public that there is nothing "on the horizon that's about to explode."
No Conflict with Iran
A US contractor was killed and five US service members were wounded when an Iranian suicide drone attacked a coalition base in Syria. The US retaliated with airstrikes on Iranian-linked targets in Syria. However, in his first response to the situation, President Biden confirmed that the US does not seek escalation with Tehran, echoing the Pentagon's earlier comments.
"To make no mistake, the United States does not — does not, emphasize — seek conflict with Iran. But be prepared for us to act forcefully to protect our people. That’s exactly what happened last night," he said. “We’re going to continue to keep up our efforts to counter terrorist threats in the region in partnerships with Canada and other members of the coalition to defeat ISIS."
China
The Chinese government played a significant role in the Biden-Trudeau event in Canada without any Beijing representative sipping on Tim Horton’s coffee.
Justin Trudeau (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
The first component was the typical Biden gaffe that captured North American headlines, telling the House of Commons that he "applauds China for stepping up" over migration. He corrected himself to refer to Canada. The second part is a scandal that is currently plaguing the Liberal government. National security sources alleged that Member of Parliament Han Dong recommended to China's consul-general in Toronto, Han Tao, that the release of two imprisoned Canadians should be postponed. Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, known as the "Two Michaels," were jailed in China for more than 1,000 days on spying charges. It was reported that Dong told the Chinese diplomat that releasing the two men would help the Conservatives. Dong confirmed that he did speak with Han Tao, but he demanded the immediate release of the Two Michaels.
But that is not all. Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) sources told the Globe & Mail that a commercial attaché at a Chinese consulate in Canada instructed billionaire political adviser to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Zhang Bin, to contribute $1 million to the Trudeau Foundation. This report came soon after it was revealed that the CCP interfered in the 2021 federal election with the goal of re-electing Trudeau and the Liberals.
Trudeau recently appointed a special rapporteur to investigate the issue in response to these controversies. The person he chose? The former Governor General David Johnston, a member of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation. Interesting coincidence.
President Biden refrained from commenting on the matter.
No Joke
Biden was quite the comedian in Ottawa, greeting lawmakers in French with a "Bonjour, Canada." The president also highlighted that the two nations share close ties by having Canadian teams in Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Basketball Association (NBA), and the National Hockey League (NHL), quipping that "I like your teams, except the [Toronto Maple] Leafs," which garnered loud cheers in the chamber. But the Biden and Trudeau terms in office have been no laughing matter up to this point. The former is dealing with a plethora of issues, such as inflation, a banking crisis, baby formula shortages, and high gasoline prices. The latter is contending with soaring budget deficits, a Chinese-linked political scandal, and sovereignty battles with the provinces. It is indeed a tale of two travesties.
