Joe Biden set to arrive in Canada for 1st official visit as U.S. president
Global News
Canada is normally one of the first foreign trips for a new president, but Joe Biden’s visit has been delayed, in part due to COVID-19. He will be in Ottawa until Friday.
U.S. President Joe Biden is set to land in Ottawa on Thursday evening for his first official visit since winning the presidency in 2020.
Canada is normally one of the first foreign trips for a new president, but Biden’s visit has been delayed, in part due to COVID-19. He will be in Ottawa until Friday.
According to Canadian government officials’ public itineraries, Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden will meet with Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, as well as Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly and Treasury Board President Mona Fortier, around 6:25 p.m. EDT.
At 8:30 p.m. EDT, Trudeau and his wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, will host the Bidens in Ottawa. Further public events are expected to be scheduled for Friday.
Trudeau told reporters on Wednesday that the two will discuss many subjects.
“Of course, we’ll talking about China, but the centre of our conversations will be about jobs and growth, critical minerals and fighting climate change, and continuing to build an economy across the continent that works for all of our citizens,” he said.
When the White House confirmed Biden’s trip earlier this month, it said the topics that will be discussed include continued support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s invasion, the instability in Haiti, supply chain resilience and the ongoing opioid overdose epidemic in both countries, according to the statement.
The Prime Minister’s Office said in an earlier statement that the two leaders will also discuss cooperation on climate action and the economy.