What was Obama's purpose in visiting Canada anyway?

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Christopher Black

It has been tradition for a newly elected presidents first international trip to be to Canada. (except for Bush who visited Mexico first. hahaha) Considering the US and Canada are completely intertwined in regards to economy, trade, energy production and security. It SHOULD be very very obvious to why Obama would be visiting Canada first. The two countries have one of the most important and all encompassing alliances on the planet. Canada is fairing the economy meltdown better than most countries and is a vital ally in helping the US and the world as a whole in developing policies to help fix the situation. Canada has been a leading force in Afghanistan since day one. Obama and Harper have many things to discuss and it has been a long eight years in which the relations between the two countries have been completely disintegrated. (due to a lack of knowledge, understanding and intelligence in the previous administration.)

Randy B

He wasn't trying to do anything other then touching base with his neighbor and your country's closest trading partner. The visit was symbolic and was an attempt to undo some of the damage done by George W during his time in office. I'm not an Obama fan but by visiting he's also opened the door to talks by the various minions on both sides of the border so that they can address issues of interest to both countries.

In recent years your President has traditionally made this his first stop outside the US and by doing it now, even though it was short, it got that formality out of the way, strengthened some ties that needed it and still left himself plenty of time to get back and deal with the mess back home. He's also now free to travel to other places outside the US now that he has made this symbolic gesture.

Gene D

Trade was the main reason. He realizes Canada is the United States' biggest trade partner, and so protectionism isn't good for either economy.

rovi*

he needed maple cookies and a key chain...and to suck up cuz canada provides most of america's energy.

eric k: freezer burned atheist

He's talking trade and security.

Shirley B

He was in Canada for 6 hours. I think the crisis didnt change in the hours that he was there.

Dead Day Afternoon

He wanted to see how we do things up here so he could copy us.
Oh, and he wanted to get some Tim Horton's coffee.

Douglas L

It is a tradition going way back in time. The new President always visits Canada before other countries. ( Only Bush Jr did not do this).
Canada is the biggest trading partner of the USA. Canada exports more oil to the USA than any other country. It is to be expected that Obama would want talk to the leaders in Canada.

Mike K

Hi Sara,

Canada is your biggest trading partner with 1.5 billion dollars a day going back and forth across the border. Much of your energy like gas and electricity come from there. Canada and US are in the same mess and need to fix everything from the big clog ups at the border through to environmental issues and Afghanistan.

His visit was was a low key power lunch scenario as he felt the expense of pomp and circumstance was not a good image to project right now. Also, unlike Bush Obama is very popular in Canada, so much so he would win an election hands down there if he ran against Harper or Ignatieff.

Cheers,

Michael Kelly

Fernella13

Traditionally the US president makes his first overseas visit to Canada; Bush did it too

Holy Smoked

he wanted to show them what a black man looks like

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