President Barack Obama reassured Canada, his country's biggest trading partner, that he would not pursue protectionist policies. During his first trip abroad as president, Obama and Prime Minister Stephen Harper agreed to cooperate on cleaner energy technology. Obama emphasized the importance of avoiding signals of protectionism and highlighted the benefits of trade for all countries. He assured Harper that the United States would meet its international trade obligations and expressed a desire to expand trade rather than restrict it. "I am confident that the United States will honor its obligations and continue to lead in advocating for globalized trade," Harper stated. He expressed willingness to enhance the environmental and labor aspects of the North American Free Trade Agreement, a goal also supported by Obama. However, Harper clarified that he opposed reopening negotiations on the agreement, which has increased trade between Canada and the US. The two countries agreed to work together on developing environmentally friendly technologies for a clean energy grid and reducing pollution from fossil fuel resources, despite the current lack of cost-effectiveness for the technology. Obama emphasized the importance of the way we generate and use energy not only for economic recovery but also for security and environmental sustainability. He acknowledged the interconnected nature of these issues and highlighted the lack of a simple solution. Environmentalists are urging Obama to pressure Canada to address the environmental impact of its oil sands in Alberta, which produce high levels of greenhouse gases. Despite concerns about the environmental impact, Obama underscored the significance of Canada as a key energy supplier to the United States, especially during the current economic crisis. The majority of the oil sands production is intended for American markets. Despite the agreement to promote the growth of renewable energy, Harper stated that it was premature for the two countries to discuss a shared plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Obama, who recently assumed office, ran on a promise to lower U.S. emissions to 80 percent of 1990 levels by 2050. Unlike his predecessor, George W. Bush, who took a passive approach, Obama is dedicated to addressing global warming, but he emphasized the need to balance climate change efforts with economic concerns during a global economic downturn. A White House official mentioned that the joint U.S.-Canadian green energy initiative would focus on areas like carbon capture and sequestration, as well as the smart grid. Carbon dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas responsible for Earth's warming, according to scientists. Carbon sequestration, a process of capturing and storing the gas underground to prevent its release into the atmosphere, is not yet economically feasible. 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. However, this week Obama ordered 17,000 new U.S. troops to join the fight against the insurgency. Prime Minister Harper announced that Ottawa, which plans to withdraw its troops by 2011, will increase economic aid to Afghanistan, currently the largest recipient of Canadian foreign aid.