US President Joe Biden arrived Thursday in Ottawa, where he will meet Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and address parliament on Friday.
On Biden's agenda are trade, immigration, Canadian defense spending and the dispatch of a potential international stabilization force in Haiti. It was the first such visit since Barack Obama's visit in 2009.
It is usual for the president of the United States to travel on his first trip after his inauguration to Canada, but due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Biden in February 2021 was content with a virtual "visit".
Biden's visit signals a return of affection between the two countries after the presidential term of Donald Trump, who had a tense relationship with Trudeau.
Different conversational language
During Biden's visit, the language of communication will be completely different, but this does not eliminate the existing problems, for example the issue of immigration.
Canada is seeing thousands of people from Haiti, Venezuela and Colombia arrive via the United States. They cross the border on foot, past official entry points.
Biden's spokeswoman, Karine-Jean-Pierre, said Thursday that the United States was "determined to work" with Canada to manage migrant flows.
"I'm not confirming anything at the moment, but the president and prime minister will say more tomorrow."
Another thorny issue is defense, specifically Canada's contribution to NATO and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).
Regarding the Ukraine war, Washington and Ottawa are in agreement, but Canada is far from allocating 2% of its GDP to military spending, the minimum set for NATO member states.