Biden’s first foreign leader call to be with Canada’s Trudeau on Friday

President Biden will make his first call to a foreign leader on Friday to speak with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the White House said Wednesday.

“I expect they will certainly discuss the important relationship with Canada as well as [Biden’s] decision on the Keystone pipeline that he announced today,” press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters at her first briefing of the new administration.

Psaki, asked about the potential for a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, said she expected Biden would initially look to connect with “partners and allies.”

“He feels it’s important to rebuild those relationships and address the challenges and threats we’re facing in the world,” she said.

Psaki did not have any update on when Biden might make his first foreign trip.

Biden making his first call to Trudeau mirrors what he did after winning the election in November, when the Canadian prime minister was also his first call.

The call will come two days after Biden signed an executive order that revokes a key permit for the controversial Keystone XL pipeline, a 1,200-mile pipeline that carried oil from Canada to the U.S. and was opposed by several environmental and indigenous groups. 

World leaders on Wednesday offered their congratulations on social media to Biden and Vice President Harris, who were sworn in at the U.S. Capitol.

World leaders congratulated Biden shortly after his inauguration on Wednesday, with allied nations and bodies expressing hope for continued cooperation with the new administration.

“Congratulations President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on your historic inauguration,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who enjoyed a close relationship with former President Trump.

Netanyahu, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Indian President Narendra Modi were among those who wished Biden and Harris well.