Obama congratulates Canada's Trudeau

President Barack Obama on Tuesday called Canada's Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau to congratulate him on his election victory, the White House said, with both men vowing closer cooperation on trade and climate change, AFP reports.

Obama and the youthful Liberal leader "agreed on the importance of deepening the already strong United States-Canada relationship," White House officials said.

"They committed to work together to achieve an ambitious and durable global climate agreement in Paris in December."

"The president wished the prime minister-designate well and noted that he looks forward to meeting with him in the near future." 

The White House had been frustrated by the climate skepticism of outgoing Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who also lobbied strongly for the transborder Keystone pipeline.

Earlier, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Canada had made "a substantial and important commitment in advance of the Paris climate talks," adding however, "we believe that it's possible that there is more that Canada can do in this regard."

Earnest said the White House was "deeply appreciative" of Harper's work "to build a strong US-Canada relationship."

According to the White House, Obama and Trudeau "committed to strengthening the countries' joint efforts to promote trade," including implementation of a recently agreed trans-Pacific free-trade deal.

Obama wished Trudeau well and "looks forward to meeting with him in the near future," US officials said.