Defence, Economy on the Agenda as Biden Makes an Overdue Canada Visit

When U.S. President Joe Biden visits Canada next week, topics up for discussion when he meets with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau include defence cooperation, ongoing efforts to support Ukraine, and “enhanced collaboration to address the synthetic opioid crisis that has devastated both countries,” According to a White House press release.

Biden and President Obama will discuss the strengthening of trade ties, resilient supply chains, and cooperation in the Arctic during their two-day visit. “increase collaboration on defence and security, climate action, and immigration,” says a statement issued by Trudeau’s office.

While there were many other topics that were mentioned and both statements contained similar content, the emphasises on each statement was slightly different. Notably, neither of the statements mentioned China.

Biden will make his first visit to Canada as president in order to meet Trudeau. This is a move some feel is long overdue.

Robert Huebert (political science professor at University of Calgary) says summits of such leaders have been able to cap off or lead to important developments over time.

“This has always been a critical element of the so-called special relationship. And what we’ve always understood is that North America, of course, is one continent, and particularly on issues of security and on issues of economics, that we function the best when we work together,” Huebert spoke in an interview.

Trudeau was invited by the U.S. President Barack Obama to Washington in March 2016, and Trudeau reciprocated the gesture the following June. Biden will address Parliament on March 23, the same day that Obama addressed Parliament. Biden was elected vice president of Canada in December 2016 after President Donald Trump’s victory.

“Trump just wasn’t interested in U.S.-Canadian relations, and so that kind of went by the wayside,” Huebert said.

“It was then compounded. I think it became pretty obvious that Trudeau had little interest in trying to facilitate any meeting, given the fact that there was an obvious deterioration in the personal relationship between the two.”

He said that it was surprising how long it took for the leaders of the two countries to resume their meetings.

“We are now going into the third year of the Biden administration, and it’s only now that we’re seeing the summit meeting coming forward.”

In February, a Chinese spy balloon and three unidentified flying objects were shot down over North America, something Huebert expects the leaders will talk about again. Huebert sees intrusions as serving dual purposes.

“I have no doubt that they probably had all their satellites, surveillance systems turned on, they probably had listening posts listening to our communications,” He said. “But a smart enemy would also utilize them as a means of testing the capabilities of North America.”

Economy facing imminent threats

The White House’s statement regarding the visit focused on security and prosperity. “defence cooperation and modernizing the North American Aerospace Defense Command, strengthening supply chain resilience, taking bold action to combat climate change and accelerate the clean energy transition.”

James Fergusson, University of Manitoba political studies professor, said that the meeting is occurring amid a changing global political, military, economic and social environment.

“I’ve a suspicion the major thing will be economic, given the two bank failures in the United States, given American investments in green technology, those will be the primary issues for Canada and the United States trying to ensure for the Canadian perspective, that we remain competitive,” Fergusson stated this in an interview.

“They will also talk about the war in Ukraine and problems, of course, with procuring the necessary materials to support Ukraine by sustaining our own capabilities. There will be probably some discussions about the Arctic issues with regards to Russian and growing Chinese presence in the Arctic, but nothing related to sovereignty.”

Scott Edward Bennett, a Carleton University political science professor, anticipates that the visit will include discussions about the nations’ mutual interest and shared concern about looming threats.

“Defence will be of importance because of the many conflicts and potential conflicts that are underway and which Canada can no longer ignore. It must be more willing to accept American help in monitoring the North as well. We will not likely get our act together on our own,” Bennett said so to The Epoch Times.

“No doubt Washington is taking notice that Saudi Arabia and Iran are making nice now. Never thought I would see that.”

Bennett suspects that “subtle pivots” In private discussions between leaders and staff, it is possible to discuss policy. Evidence will be presented in future months.

“I think the Biden administration is starting to figure out that they have been going down the wrong path with a variety of issues relating to defence, natural resources, immigration, and international relations,” He said.

“It will also be the subtle beginning of more cooperation in developing traditional forms of energy, cooperating in surveillance and defence, guarding technology from foreign interests, adapting to rapidly changing alliances in the rest of the world and dealing with illegal immigration.”

Illegal Immigration

Roxham Road, located 50 kilometres from Montreal, is a popular route for asylum seekers who prefer to move to Canada over the United States. In recent weeks, it has attracted more political attention.

Quebec Premier Francois Legault has asked the federal government to settle the new asylum-seekers in other provinces, provide more funding to pay for their care, and close the irregular border crossing, which is located between official points of entry. Pierre Poilievre (Conservative Leader) called Trudeau to close down the crossing in less than a month.

They also have a Safe Third Country Agreement. “individuals entering Canada at a land port of entry continue to be ineligible to make a refugee claim, and will be returned to the U.S.” Trudeau wants the agreement to be renegotiated in order to cover illegal border crossings. Biden has indicated that it will also be on the table.

Don Dusserud (political science professor at University of Prince Edward Island) says it’s an example of Ottawa’s bilateral relations with Washington as well as with one of its own provincials.

“The people that are coming in are not coming to Quebec. They’re coming to Canada as far as they’re concerned. Quebec may have a point that just because the road is there, it doesn’t mean that they have to deal with them, because there’s an expense involved,” Dusserud spoke to The Epoch Times.

He indicated that Americans have greater concerns about their southern border than they do about the United States, which could make it possible for Canada to accept the request.

“I know there’s a symbolism involved with that, but the open border is never meant to be a free-for-all,” Dusserud said.

“Whether Biden is open to this or not, I don’t know. But there are a lot of people in United States, particularly in border states, that depend upon and rely upon and are quite happy with Canadian trade, and they have a strong voice there as well. So I think there’s a possibility of something coming out of that one.”

Fergusson believes that a two day visit is routine. Dusserud, however, thinks otherwise.

“Two days I think is a significant statement. Now, what kind of statement is trickier,” He said.

“The United States pays no attention to whether we are the first country that the American president visits when it’s a new American president, and how quickly they make that visit, and Canada reads a lot into that.

“This is quite late for an American president visit. To offset any bitter feelings, you can extend your visit to make it a memorable one.”