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Alex Wong / Getty Images
President Obama, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Mexican President Felipe Calderon emerge from the Oval Office for a joint press conference April 2 in the Rose Garden of the White House.
Updated at 3:33 p.m. ET. President Barack Obama and the leaders of Canada and Mexico on Monday vowed a new effort to boost North American trade — and cut needless regulation that stifles it — in a summit that aimed to shore up a fragile economic recovery.
Ronaldo Schemidt / AFP - Getty Images
Mexican President Felipe Calderon is attending the White House summit to discuss energy issues in North America.
After a one-day summit with Mexican President Felipe Calderon and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Obama said the United States has trimmed outdated and burdensome rules in talks with both its neighbors, but all three countries will now go beyond that.
"Our three nations are going to sit down together, go through the books and simplify and eliminate more regulations that will make our joint economies stronger," he said.
Saul Loeb / AFP - Getty Images
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has voiced disappointment with Obama's decision to shelve the Keystone XL pipeline pending further review.
Obama noted trade among the three neighbors now tops $1 trillion a year, and he wants to see that number rise. "This is going to help create jobs," he said.
Jewel Samad / AFP - Getty Images
President Barack Obama is convening a summit with leaders from Mexico and Canada that aims to boost a fragile recovery and grapple with thorny energy issues against a backdrop of painfully high gas prices.
The summit ranged broadly across issues of energy and climate change, immigration and the war on drugs.
But notable by its absence from a post-summit news conference in the Rose Garden was the controversial Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada's oil sands in Alberta to the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. Obama shelved the plan pending further review — and has endured ferocious GOP attacks ever since, with Republicans calling the move a blow to job creation and U.S. energy needs. He maintains GOP leaders in Congress forced his hand by insisting on a decision before an acceptable pipeline route was found.
Harper has voiced disappointment with Obama's decision. He also visited China in February to explore alternatives. Canada has the world's third-largest oil reserves — more than 170 billion barrels — after Saudi Arabia and Venezuela, and daily production of 1.5 million barrels from the oil sands is expected to rise to 3.7 million by 2025.
Obama, Harper and Calderon will see each other later this month at the Summit of the Americas in Cartagena, Colombia. They're also well-known to each other from international gatherings — but are headed in different electoral directions.
While Obama faces a tough re-election battle for the next seven months, Calderon is term-limited. The battle to succeed him formally kicked off last week and will culminate with Mexican elections July 1. The main issue is the deadly war his government has waged with drug cartels, which has claimed an estimated 47,000 lives.
By contrast, Harper, who has led Canada since 2006, appears secure in his job, having led his Conservatives from minority status to a majority in Parliament in elections last May. He doesn't have to face voters again for four years.
Another reason Obama might envy Harper: thanks to that majority, the budget Harper's government introduced last week should pass easily, including its budget cuts designed to eliminate Canada's deficit by 2015.
Leave a Comment:
Why?
Produce more oil and gas here, for here. Its a little to late for him to start bringing down gas prices now. Election ploy. Very sad.
We have to talk energy sometime. If we wait for election cycles to be out of the picture the talks will never occur. Each year someone is campaigning for the next year and so on and so for. Whether we like it or not the American people need energy and the military needs energy.
We do no have the ability to switch off oil / gos overnight or short term so trade has to occur on the oil market. Today's cars and homes are powered off oil, gas, and natural gas. A home heater has a lifespan of 15 years and a car has a lifespan of 7-10 years. A change to electricity that can be powered by solar, wind, nuclear, oil, coal ... will not happen overnight. The conversion will not happen at all if there is not a market demand for conversion.
The biggest thing I see holding back progress on the automobiles is the time it takes to charge an automobile battery. This is why hybrids look more promising the pure electric vehicle. I would like to see a focus on quick charge car batteries and electric charge stations at the gas stations and/or hotels. If it takes the same time to pump gas as it does to charge a car people are more likely to switch.
Regardless energy needs to be an American priority not an election gimmick.
Let me guess, Obama is going to facilitate the sale of firearms to Mexico in return for increased drug flow into the U.S. The man's a genius ..... in his own mind !
Looks more like a photo opportunity for MSNBC. Did you ever notice how the pictures of Obama are always bright and smiling while pictures of Gingrich, Romney and Santorum are now all "distorted" ... looking mad or not smiling ..... just like the negative ads do in their productions ?
He can't bring gas prices down. International demand is too high. Sorry Americans... stand in line like everyone else!!!
Does anyone really think any of the presidential candidates including Obama and Romney have direct control over the oil markets?
We need solutions not political banter.
Dear takingmiddleground, and all concerned citizens:
Clearly, you are correct that we can't convert "overnight" to switch off oil and gas use. HOWEVER, you go on to say that we also cannot switch "short term". PLEASE SEE my COMMENT below (#9...not #8.2) Do your own research...VERY RECENT breakthrough at U. Cal. Berkeley (Feb. 2012) might make it possible to convert within a few years if we can convince politicos to appropriate WAY more FUNDING for R&D for SOLAR-POWERED HYDROGEN FUEL CELLS, which would not put Carbon Dioxide or any other noxious tailpipe emissions into our AIR... could lead to solving any potential global warming problem completely!! LET'S THINK POSITIVE!!...WHY NOT???
Thanks for Listening
Peace and Love
Loudmouth Karaoke Brad
Brad, I agree we should increase research. The hydrogen sounds promising. I just stated more options are available if we develop quick charge batteries.
Regardless any migration will have to be done as a phased approach over years unless you want to mandate American citizens be forced to buy new cars, clothes dryers, and heaters immediately.
I think a mandate to purchase a new car, clothes dryer, or heater would be unconstitutional. I guess you could argue that there is an energy market. The government is forced to spend extra money protecting citizens if they use oil based products. We need to mandate citizens purchase new hydrogen fuel cell cars to save the government money.
We will see if the Supreme Court opens any precedence a mandate to purchase hydrogen fuel cell cars to make conversion quicker in June. Otherwise we have to account for oil, gas, and natural gas base products existing for years.
When a government official states: We will look into it, what they are really saying is we don't have a clue on fixing the problem.
Mr. president, fix the issue. You complained about Bush not fixing the problem, use your programs to show what a genius you are.
Mittens says he can "fix" the issue too and, if he gets elected in November, we will be having the same discussion three years from that point because Mittens will not have "fixed" the issue.
We are too shorted sighted to EVER put in place a long-term strategy for energy. This is a problem that cannot be "fixed" in a single presidential term.
Where is the story on MSNBC about Ed Schultz receiving $200,000 from SCIU?
They are too busy dodging the story about their previous golden child Kieth Olbermann stating that a peasant who drove his limo had the effrontery to try to talk to him and that the other driver smelled.
So much for the party of the little people.
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2012/04/02/current-tv-bosses-had-laundry-list-reasons-keith-olberman-was-sacked-report/?intcmp=features#ixzz1quPsQfAF
the great president Obama "King wanna be" blamed Bush for High gas prices, now is not he's fault? but he had some great advice to us inflate your tires so you can save gas. Unbelievable I can't believe that this clown is president, and to make matters worse I voted for him. But lesson learned, he won't get my vote again, who's with me?
The 99% American People want our illustrious President to succeed! He's trying to take us out from under CORRUPT CORPORATE REPUBLICAN RULE as evidenced by the TOTAL UN-COOPERATION of their CONGRESSMEN! Even so, our President was able to get something done AFTER 8 yrs. of REPUBLICAN CORRUPT CORPORATE RULE which, we, the 99% American People, have been forced to bail out the SAME CORRUPT CORPORATES !!
Enough is enough! We want our country back! But, those of you who don't care VOTE REPUBLICAN & just watch how they TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOUR MONEY, not you, just your money! Just like they're doing with GASOLINE!!!
So is Calderon going to stand before Congress and insult us again while obama applauds? I think the Canadian Prime Minister cares more about this nation that the one we elected.
The liberal left seized this nation almost six years ago and you are blaming the failed policies on the Republicans?
So why is it that the Demoncrats had their asses handed to them in the 2010 elections?
The same reason Republitards had there asses handed to them in 2008...making promises their bodies can't cash. Typical Americans are so short-sighted and easily distracted that we buy into politicians' ridiculous band-aid remedies for problems that require long-term strategies.
Newtie says he will get us below $2/gal fuel if he's elected. Completely ridiculous.
OilmanMD why is $2 gas ridiculous. Thats what it was when Obama got elected 3 years ago.
OilmanMD Furthermore, exactly what is Obamas long term strategy? So far all I have seen is spending money we don't have, passing laws that are unconstitutional and dividing the country with race baiting.
canan...the only time gas was below $2/gal in 2008 was when the banking industry went into the toilet and plunged the world into a full-scale recession (which, in case you don't remember, is also when your boy Bush handed a bag of sh*t to Obama).
http://www.randomuseless.info/gasprice/gasprice.html
To expect it to go to $2/gal at the same time you expect economic growth is ridiculous. Emerging economies of Brazil, India and China are growing too fast. I would spend more time to explain this to you but I have better things to do than play professor of Economics 101.
There you go. I was waiting for the libera fall back response of "its all Bush's fault"
I know your short on time, you mom says you should get out of the basement and go look for a job at least one a week.
Good luck with the job hunt. Pehaps there is a community organizer position out there somewhere for you.
It's not a "fall back"...it's a fact. Even your boy Mittens admitted it. Additionally, I'm HARDLY "liberal" when it comes to economic affairs. Lastly, I already have a job...I'm an exec for a major oil company, but thanks for the useless tip (typical republitard "fall back" when you don't have a more intelligent answer.)
Aside from attending an economics class, I suggest you get a crow bar to pry your head out of your ass before you suffocate.
There you go again. Liberal fall back, name calling.
Just because you cannot find one thing that Obama has accomplished in three years, except spend more than Bush did in 8, is no reason to get mad at me.
PS. buying KY jelly lubricant by the case does not make you and executive for an oil company.
dude...all you want to do is have the satisfaction of having the last word. So suit yourself...reply to this with another ridiculous comment and have your last word. I can see that I would have a more intelligent conversation with a house plant.
I see this as a good thing! Perhaps, someone will make the comment that will change everything? You just never know what might be said at a summit like this? I still hope the Pres. stands strong on that pipeline business? What we need to do, is stop buying gas on the 14th and 15th and see who it hurts most? I sure would like to see the big oil boy's faces when that happens, and it will, i am in! Are you?
Perhaps he can talk them into a pipeline from Mexico to Canada so the illegals can bypass the US and go straight into the Great White North.
Grandstanding again. Trying to look like a leader. How utterly pathetic Obama is. Even Mexico is laughing at Obama behind his back. They know his days in office are numbered, and Obama is desperately trying to look "Presidential" before November rolls around. What a walking joke Americans elected.
Time for a real world leader. Time for President Mitt Romney.
Obama would be a joke if the punch line did not suck so bad.
Knock Knock
Who's there.
4 years of trillion and a half dollar deficits, a down grade in credit rating and huge unemployment.
Some joke.
Friends;
A president Romney, (or Santorum or Gingrich, god help us all) would make things EVEN MUCH WORSE!!Certainly I agree that Obama has been mediocre or worse at least up until now. That does not mean that we should elect someone who is REALLY HORRIBLE!! Sure, Romney is a handsome "white" guy, but his level of corrupt beholdenness to the over-powerful; super-corrupt BIG OIL and MILITARY INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX powers that be is probably even MUCH WORSE than OBAMA'S.
By the way, I put quotation marks around the "racial" term "white" on purpose. In case anyone ever wants to WAKE UP from the totally inaccurate common usage "WHITE PEOPLE", let me clue you in on a little bit of ACTUAL SCIENTIFIC TRUTH!! THERE ARE PLAINLY and SIMPLY NO PEOPLE on PLANET EARTH whose SKIN COLOR is EVEN CLOSE to the actual color WHITE!!... Almost all professional anthropoligists and geneticists and molecular biologists say there is ONLY on RACE of HOMO SAPIENS on this planet!!... The HUMAN RACE!!
Thanks for Listening
Peace and Love
Loudmouth Karaoke Brad
So your ploy to get people to vote for Obama is "Vote for the Devil you know, why take a chance on the Devil you don't".
Perhaps you should pass this along to the DNC. It sounds much better than the "hope and change" BS.
Friends;
Here's what the world needs to do as far as ENERGY POLICY, and even though it COULD already be too late (some doomsayers believe that SEVERE, possibly CATASTROPHIC , GLOBAL WARMING, will occur because of the greenhouse gases we've ALREADY put into the atmosphere from burning huge amounts of carbon-based fossil fuels)... I say, the smart thing to do is hope it's NOT too late, but almost immediately, within just a VERY FEW YEARS, convert to an energy economy based on HYDROGEN FUEL CELL technology whose main energy input is SOLAR...That is , sunlight!!. My research indicates that humanity is likely on the verge of figuring out how to do this economically. Google "breakthrough in designing cheaper more efficient catalysts for fuel cells"...you will see that University of Cal. Berkeley scientists have just this February published , (and many websites have re-told the story) about a chemical engineering breakthrough which likely will lead to dramatically reducing the cost of CONVERTING WATER to HYDROGEN and OXYGEN using SUNLIGHT as the ENERGY SOURCE!! That step is the first part of what's needed to have solar electric cars using Solar Hydrogen Fuel Cells!! And water vapor is what comes out of the tailpipe... NO GREENHOUSE GAS CARBON DIOXIDE or other noxious smog-producing chemicals!!
Obama, get your science advisors and your public relations team OUT of the CLUTCHES of BIG OIL, and help publicize this development. I don't think this is a pollyannaish pipedream!! I bet if we spend 5% of the several TRILLION dollars we've allowed BIG OIL to con us into spending on WARS in IRAQ and Afghanistan so that THEY could profit by a few more hundreds of billions of dollars over a few decades, we could RESEARCH and DEVELOP this technology and eliminate the Keystone Pipeline project and the vast majority of the Fossil Fuels industry. Burning oil, natural gas, and coal MAY WELL EXTINCT our species if we keep it up. That would be, to SAY the LEAST, VERY "INCONVENIENT", as Al Gore and the CLIMATOLOGISTS and hundreds of millions of other folks not brainwashed by the Climate change deniers of FOX NEWS and elsewhere believe.
President Obama: JUST DO IT!! Get Congress to appropriate the money to R&D this, in a MASSIVE WAY!! Time, and world oil supplies; may well run out within a few decades (possibly even sooner) otherwise. THIS is SERIOUS!! LEAD the WAY, Mr. President!! Jobs lost by not building the Keystone Pipeline are jobs which may have helped destroy the entire ecosystem of this planet. Humanity needs that type of jobs like a HOLE in the HEAD!! Plus, of course, the highest, best use for OIL is NOT BURNING it UP!! It is LUBRICATION and MAKING PLASTICS. And, if we need it, FOOD production, if the Solar Hydrogen R& D takes longer than a few years to figure out economically!!... JUST DO IT!!!
Thanks for Listening
Peace and Love
Loudmouth Karaoke Brad
NAFTA Part Deux. Now, will you democrats complain about this down the road as well? And of course he is calling for DEregulation but you all know only republicans don't want regulation.
More spin from the "Spin Master" Barack Obama.....and these 2 others are just as bad. Say anything to look good in the press but when it come to actually doing the right thing they all fall short!
These knuckle heads can't even control the border.....and the death rate in Mexico is unbelievable, it's like Detroit and Canada is having it's shooting too, only they cover them up.
And you call these 3 leaders.......I don't think so.....it's more like "Larry, Moe and Curly"..Yuck...Yuck!
Obama is out there today trying to say that Canada health care system is just so great. What a bunch of crap! The Canadian health system is a joke and that's why any Canadian with the cash comes across the bridge to Detroit for their health care......
Just more Obama lie's and spin......"True Americans" are seeing right through Barack Hussian Obama and they will show it in November 2012, no matter who runs against Obama.
Your choice in November will be simply. You want "A Socialist America" vote for Obama. You want jobs, great health care and a booming economy, Vote for the Other Guy!
So our health system sucks so bad that Canadians live longer statistically. Go to Detroit... Bah.. We don't have a single city in Canada like Detroit... lol.
canuck-1412024 - You have obviously never been to White Horse.
And you have never beemn to detroit