WASHINGTON – The White House says a “special relationship” is developing with Canada’s new prime minister.
Mark Feierstein, a White House official, says there’s a unique alignment of priorities for President Barack Obama and Justin Trudeau, whose three-day visit to the U.S. capital begins Wednesday.
Feierstein says they’re both young leaders – progressives committed to international institutions, cultural diversity, fighting climate change and helping refugees.
READ MORE: Washington D.C. prepped for Justin Trudeau’s arrival
Another official says there was instant spike in Canadian effort on the climate file after Trudeau was elected, something that was apparent at the recent Paris summit.
The leaders are expected to announce a wide-ranging agreement on climate change, new border-security measures and an effort to avoid an impasse in the softwood-lumber dispute.
READ MORE: Trudeau won’t pick fight with Donald Trump
Trudeau will be attending the first U.S. state dinner for a Canadian leader in 19 years, as well as speaking to progressive think-tanks, laying a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery and chatting with university students in Washington.