North American leaders to meet in Washington for first time in 5 years

The heads of government of Canada and Mexico will travel to Washington next week to meet with President Biden in the first summit of North American leaders in five ears.

The three heads of state will meet at the White House on Nov. 18 to discuss climate change, migration and economic competitiveness and growth.

During his presidential campaign, Biden promised to reverse the damage he said was done to the relationship between the U.S. and its NAFTA trading partners, arguing that his administration would work to “write the rules of the road” on trade within the international system.

"Strengthening our partnership is essential to our ability to build back better, to revitalize our leadership, and to respond to a widening range of regional and global challenges," the White House said in a statement early on Wednesday. "With respect for each other’s sovereignty and in a true spirit of partnership, we affirm our unwavering vision that North America is the most competitive and dynamic region in the world."

The last time North American leaders met was in 2016 when Trudeau hosted former Presidents Obama and Peña Nieto in Ottawa. Leaders of the NAFTA block did not meet while Trump was in office, putting a focus on the strife between the U.S. and its neighbors over trade and immigration policy.