Obama to host Canada’s PM in March

Politico

President Barack Obama will host Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in March, the White House announced Monday.

Obama and first lady Michelle Obama will hold a state dinner with Trudeau and his wife, Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau, on March 10. “The visit will be an opportunity for the United States and Canada to deepen their bilateral relationship, which is one of the closest and most extensive in the world and is based on a shared history, common values, and a vast and intricate network of cultural, familial, and commercial ties,” White House press secretary Josh Earnest said in a statement. “The visit also is intended to advance cooperation on important bilateral and multilateral issues, such as energy and climate change, security, and the economy.”

The dinner will be the first for a Canadian prime minister in nearly two decades. Trudeau was elected to lead Canada in October over incumbent Prime Minister Stephen Harper and was sworn in as the country’s second-youngest prime minister in November.

In a New York Times profile published earlier this month, Trudeau said he received a call from Obama after his victory. It was “very, very cool,” he recalled.

“It was nice to confirm in person how like-minded we are on so many issues,” he told The Times. “He said that seeing my family on TV on election night reminded him of his election in 2008 with his family. I’m looking forward to having a beer with him.”