President Barack Obama reassured Canada, his country's top trading partner, that he would not pursue protectionist policies. The two nations also agreed to work together on developing cleaner energy technology. Obama, on his first foreign trip as president, addressed Canadian concerns about a "Buy American" clause in a recent U.S. economic recovery plan. During talks with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Obama emphasized the importance of avoiding protectionism and promoting trade for the benefit of all countries. He affirmed the United States' commitment to meeting its international trade obligations and expressed a desire to expand, rather than restrict, trade. Harper expressed confidence that the United States will uphold its obligations and remain a leader in advocating for globalized trade. He stated that he is open to enhancing the environmental and labor aspects of the North American Free Trade Agreement, a goal that Obama shares. However, Harper clarified that he does not endorse renegotiating the agreement, which has increased trade between Canada and the United States. Both parties agreed to work together on eco-friendly technologies to create an electricity grid powered by clean energy and extract fossil fuels with reduced pollution. At present, the technology is not economically feasible. Obama emphasized the importance of how we generate and use energy for economic recovery, security, and environmental protection. He acknowledged that these issues cannot be addressed in isolation and that there is no simple solution. Environmentalists are urging Obama to push Canada to address the environmental impact of its oil sands in Alberta, which produce a significant amount of greenhouse gases. They argue that tar sands are not a sustainable alternative to conventional oil. Despite this pressure, Obama highlighted the significance of Canada as the United States' main energy supplier, especially during a severe economic downturn. The majority of the oil sands output is intended for the U.S. market. Despite efforts to promote green energy development, Harper mentioned it was premature for the countries to discuss a collective strategy for decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. Obama, who recently assumed office, had promised during his campaign to lower U.S. emissions to 80 percent of 1990 levels by 2050. Unlike his predecessor, George W. Bush, who took a passive stance on the issue, Obama is dedicated to addressing global warming. However, he emphasized that climate change efforts should also consider economic factors given the current worldwide recession. A White House representative stated that the U.S.-Canadian green energy initiative would focus on aspects such as carbon capture, sequestration, and the smart grid. Carbon dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas responsible for global warming, according to scientists. Carbon sequestration, which is currently not cost-effective, 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 combating a growing insurgency, Obama stated that he had not requested additional military assistance. This week, Obama authorized the deployment of 17,000 new U.S. troops to Afghanistan to combat the insurgency. Harper announced that Ottawa, which plans to withdraw its troops by 2011, will increase economic aid to Afghanistan, which is currently the largest recipient of Canadian foreign aid.