A cordial visit, but one that should not evacuate some delicate subjects. U.S. President Joe Biden arrived in Canada on Thursday, greeted by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Trade, military cooperation, the situation in Haiti: these hot spots will be addressed by the two leaders. Another cause of friction seemed Thursday about to be ironed out: the issue of irregular immigration arriving from the United States to Canada.

Radio Canada and the New York Times reported late in the day that the two countries had reached an agreement to close the main migrant access route, located south of Montreal. This Friday, the two leaders will have a working meeting, before Joe Biden addresses the Canadian Parliament. This is the first such visit since Barack Obama's visit in 2009.

A cordiality found between the two countries since the departure of Trump

This trip marks the newfound cordiality between the two countries after the presidency of Donald Trump, who had a notoriously difficult relationship with Justin Trudeau. This time, the tone will be quite different but this does not evacuate all the subjects of friction.

Another thorny issue could be defence, and more specifically Canada's contribution to NATO and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (Norad). The United States and Canada are on the same page when it comes to supporting Ukraine.

But Ottawa is far from spending 2% of its gross domestic product (GDP) on military spending, the threshold set for NATO member countries. The two leaders are expected to finally discuss the situation in Haiti, plagued by extreme gang violence and a humanitarian crisis. Washington would welcome Canada playing a leading role in sending an international force to the country.

For the White House, "the situation on the ground will not improve without international military assistance," said Karine Jean-Pierre, indicating that "discussions" were continuing with Canada and other countries.

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