The auto sector

Obama said the two leaders were deeply concerned about the current state of the North American auto industry. He said his economic team was evaluating reports from Chrysler and General Motors on how the companies intend to move forward.
"One thing we know for certain is that there is going to have to be a significant restructuring of that industry," said Obama.
"When we provided our initial federal help to the auto industry, Prime Minister Harper stepped up and provided assistance that was commensurate with the stake that Canada has in the auto industry," he said.
"It’s going to be very important for our government to co-ordinate closely with the Canadian government in whatever approach that we decide to take. And we’re committed to doing that.”
Harper said Canada has also been concerned by the "thickening" of the U.S.-Canada border caused by increased security since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the U.S. and the impact it has had on trade.
"The key is to look at how we can look at security in a way that does not inhibit commerce and social interaction," Harper told reporters.
Canadian businesses have complained that some of the security measures enacted by the United States along the border in recent years have hurt cross-border commerce.
Obama said the leaders discussed how they might use the countries' economic stimulus packages to ease "bottlenecks" on the border.
"I think four years from now, relations between Canada and the United States will be even stronger," Obama said.