WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper are meeting at the White House amid tensions over a proposed oil pipeline that supporters say would create jobs in the U.S.
The Obama administration cited environmental concerns when it pushed back a decision on the Keystone pipeline until 2013, after the presidential election. The project had angered some of Obama’s liberal backers.
The White House denies that the election has anything to do with the delay. But Harper has strongly suggested that U.S. politics could be at play.
Supporters say the pipeline would have economic benefits for both countries.
Obama and Harper will speak to reporters following their meeting. They are expected to announce a new agreement on strengthening border security and making regulations more consistent.
