WASHINGTON — This will be a moment of firsts — for Justin Trudeau, and for Canada-U.S. relations.
Trudeau today begins his first prime ministerial visit to the U.S. — which will also feature the first White House state dinner for a Canadian in 19 years.
The prime minister lands at Andrews Air Force Base this afternoon, followed by a reception. Tomorrow he meets with President Barack Obama and attends the state dinner.
He'll conclude the three-day trip Friday when he lays a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery; speaks to a university and to a think-tank; then heads home.
Another atypical aspect of the visit is reflected in the unofficial paper of record of modern American politics — Politico, which has a headline: "Justin Fever Hits Washington."
Prime ministerial visits rarely raise a ripple in the American capital but the arrival of this refugee-hugging, self-declared feminist subject of fawning profiles and a Vogue magazine spread is an exception to the rule.
An example is featured in that Politico item. It includes perhaps one of the most unusual quotes in the history of Canada-U.S. relations, from an anonymous senior Obama administration who declared the Canadian her "new political crush": “Seriously, with his looks, heart, and mind, he’s dreamy," Politico quoted the administration official saying.
As for the actual substance of the meeting between the leaders of two countries sharing the world's biggest trading relationship and about 8,700 kilometres of land border, several announcements are expected.
Officials have hinted at a wide-ranging climate-change agreement, some of whose components were already in the works under the previous Harper government.
Sources also say that Trudeau will throw his support behind a plan that could revolutionize the border, making it possible to potentially clear customs at bus stations, train stations, ports and off highways the same way several airports already allow such preclearance. The goal would be to ease choke points at the actual border and speed up travel.
The previous government and the Obama administration had reached an agreement-in-principle on the idea last year but it has lingered amid uncertainty over whether the governments would introduce bills required to implement it.
A U.S. bill was introduced a few days ago, and endorsed by members of both parties. Sources say Trudeau will signal his intention to follow suit in Canada's Parliament.
The Canadian opposition downplays the significance of this trip.
The Conservatives note that some of these announcements flow from Harper-era initiatives. They also question the level of substance of any deal with a last-year president who doesn't control Congress.
But the White House has emphasized its significance.
"I think there is a developing special relationship between this president and the prime minister," Mark Feierstein told reporters during a briefing session.
"Both young leaders with similar visions. Both have a progressive vision of governing. Both are very much committed to the appropriate use of multilateral tools. Both are committed to diversity.
"And I think there is a coincidence very much in terms of the agendas that both administrations have. I think we’re seeing that reflected, for example, on the issues of climate change and refugees and other issues."
An American lawmaker said people around the world had noticed Trudeau welcoming refugees. She said she hoped her country might follow suit.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, also noted the novelty of this moment — Americans paying attention to a Canadian politician.
"For a long time Canadians were a bit obsessed with President Obama," she told a forum hosted by Politico late Tuesday.
"This is just deserts."
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