President Barack Obama reassured Canada, his country's largest trading partner, that he would not implement protectionist policies during his first trip abroad as president. Both countries agreed to collaborate on cleaner energy technology. Obama addressed concerns raised by a "Buy American" clause in a U.S. economic recovery plan during talks with Prime Minister Stephen Harper in Ottawa. Obama emphasized the importance of avoiding protectionism and promoting trade for the benefit of all countries. He confirmed the United States' commitment to meeting international trade obligations and expressed his desire to expand, not restrict, trade. Harper expressed confidence in the United States' commitment to upholding international obligations and maintaining a leadership role in advocating for globalized trade. He mentioned a willingness to enhance environmental and labor aspects of the North American Free Trade Agreement, a goal also supported by Obama. However, Harper clarified that he did not endorse renegotiating the agreement, as it has been beneficial for trade between Canada and the US. Both parties agreed to work together on environmentally friendly technologies to develop a clean energy grid and reduce pollution from fossil fuel resources, even though the technology is currently not economically viable. Obama emphasized the importance of energy production and usage in relation to economic recovery, security, and environmental impact. He acknowledged the interconnected nature of these issues and stated that there is no easy solution. Environmentalists are urging Obama to address Canada's oil sands in Alberta, which produce a significant amount of greenhouse gases. Despite concerns about the environmental impact, Obama highlighted the significance of Canada as a key energy provider to the United States. Most of the oil sands output is intended for U.S. markets, even though there is an agreement to promote green energy development. Harper stated that it was premature for the countries to discuss a shared strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Obama, who began his term last month, ran on a promise to decrease U.S. emissions by 80 percent of 1990 levels by 2050. Unlike his predecessor, George W. Bush, Obama is dedicated to addressing global warming, but he believes climate change efforts must consider economic factors during a global recession. A White House official mentioned that the joint U.S.-Canadian green energy project would focus on initiatives like carbon capture and sequestration and the smart grid. Scientists attribute the warming of the Earth to carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas. Carbon sequestration, a process of capturing and storing the gas underground before it is released into the atmosphere, is not yet economically feasible. In Afghanistan, where Canada has 2,700 troops as part of a NATO-led force combating an increasing insurgency, Obama stated that he had not requested additional military assistance. This week, Obama deployed 17,000 new U.S. troops to Afghanistan to counter the insurgency. Harper announced that Ottawa, which intends to withdraw its troops by 2011, would increase economic aid to Afghanistan, currently the largest recipient of Canadian foreign aid.