President Barack Obama reassured Canada, his country's top trading partner, that he would not pursue protectionist policies. The two countries also agreed to work together on cleaner energy technology. Obama, on his first trip abroad as president, addressed Canadian concerns about a "Buy American" clause in a U.S. economic recovery plan. He emphasized the importance of avoiding protectionism and promoting trade for the benefit of all countries. Obama stated that the United States would fulfill its international trade commitments and expressed his desire to expand trade relationships. Harper expressed his confidence that the United States will uphold its obligations and maintain its leadership in advocating for globalized trade. He mentioned his willingness to enhance the environmental and labor aspects of the North American Free Trade Agreement, a goal also shared by Obama. However, Harper emphasized that he does not endorse renegotiating the agreement, which has increased trade between Canada and the U.S. Both sides agreed to work together on eco-friendly technologies for a cleaner electricity grid and to extract fossil fuels with reduced pollution, although the technology is currently not economically viable. Obama emphasized the importance of how we generate and utilize energy not only for economic recovery, but also for national security and environmental sustainability. He acknowledged the complexity of these issues and the need for a comprehensive approach. Environmentalists are urging Obama to push Canada to address the environmental impact of its oil sands production in Alberta, which emits significant greenhouse gases. Despite criticism, Obama highlighted the significance of Canada as a major energy supplier to the United States, especially during a severe economic downturn. The majority of oil sands output is intended for U.S. markets, according to Harper. Although there is an agreement to promote the development of green energy, Harper stated that it was premature for the two countries to discuss a shared strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Obama, who recently took office, ran on a promise to decrease U.S. emissions to 80 percent of 1990 levels by 2050. Unlike his predecessor, George W. Bush, Obama is proactive in addressing global warming, but he believes that climate change efforts need to be balanced with economic considerations during a global recession. A White House official mentioned that the U.S.-Canadian green energy initiative would focus on areas such as carbon capture and sequestration, as well as the smart grid. Carbon dioxide is identified as the primary greenhouse gas responsible for Earth's warming, according to scientists. Carbon sequestration, a process that is currently not economically feasible, involves capturing the gas and storing it underground to prevent it from entering the atmosphere. In Afghanistan, where Canada has 2,700 troops as part of a NATO-led force combatting a growing insurgency, President Obama stated that he has not requested additional military assistance. This week, Obama authorized the deployment of 17,000 new U.S. troops to Afghanistan to address the insurgency. Prime Minister Harper announced that Canada, which plans to withdraw its troops by 2011, will increase economic aid to Afghanistan, the largest recipient of Canadian foreign aid.