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Obama makes first foreign visit Obama pledges Canada co-operation
(about 3 hours later)
Barack Obama is in the Canadian capital Ottawa on his first foreign trip as president, for talks with Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Barack Obama, in his first foreign trip as US president, has pledged to work with Canada on energy, economic recovery and Afghanistan.
Trade, the global economy and the war in Afghanistan are the main issues to be discussed during the six-hour visit. He said global challenges, including security, required a global response.
As America's biggest trade partner, Canada is worried about the "Buy American" measures in the $787bn (£546m) stimulus plan. Mr Obama, who has increased the number of US troops in Afghanistan, said he did not press the Canadian PM on the withdrawal of Canadian troops in 2011.
Canadian troops are due to pull out of the Nato force in Afghanistan in 2011. He also said North American citizens were "hurting" in the economic crisis, and that he wanted trade to grow.
Popular president 'Buy American'
With America expanding its forces in Afghanistan by 17,000, Mr Obama would like Canada to reconsider its current commitment to pulling out its combat troops in two years' time. The US, concerned at the resurgent Taleban in Afghanistan, has said it will increase its forces in Afghanistan by 17,000, and expects allies to do more too.
But Mr Obama is not likely to press the issue now, says the BBC's North America editor Justin Webb. However, at a news conference with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Mr Obama said: "I certainly did not press the prime minister on any additional commitments beyond ones that have already been made."
On trade he will be just as diplomatic, promising that he remains committed to free trade with America's most important commercial partner, says Justin Webb.
President Obama has a high approval rating north of the borderPresident Obama has a high approval rating north of the border
Trade between the North American neighbours is worth $1.5bn a day and Mr Harper is likely to seek assurances over the protectionist "Buy American" provision in the huge stimulus package signed into law by President Obama. As America's biggest trade partner, Canada was worried about the "Buy American" measures in Mr Obama's $787bn (£546m) stimulus plan.
Under the provision public works funded by the fund must use only iron, steel and other goods made in the US.Under the provision public works funded by the fund must use only iron, steel and other goods made in the US.
But Mr Obama said he wanted "to grow trade and not contract it."
He added: "I don't think that there was anything in the recovery package that is adverse to that goal."
Trade between the two countries is worth $1.5bn a day.
Mr Obama has stressed that the United States will comply with its treaty obligations regarding international trade.Mr Obama has stressed that the United States will comply with its treaty obligations regarding international trade.
Climate change
Environmental activists have urged President Obama to get tough with Canada about its massive oil sands operation which produces a high amount of greenhouse gases blamed for climate change.Environmental activists have urged President Obama to get tough with Canada about its massive oil sands operation which produces a high amount of greenhouse gases blamed for climate change.
In an interview with the Canadian broadcaster, CBC, ahead of the visit Mr Obama said he wanted to work with Canada on new technologies to capture greenhouse gases. Mr Obama reiterated his desire to work with Canada on new technologies to capture greenhouse gases, announcing a "clean energy dialogue" between the two countries.
President Obama was met at Ottawa's airport by Canadian Governor General Michaelle Jean and an escort of Royal Canadian Mounted Police at Ottawa's airport.President Obama was met at Ottawa's airport by Canadian Governor General Michaelle Jean and an escort of Royal Canadian Mounted Police at Ottawa's airport.
Popular president
Ms Jean is a Haitian immigrant and Canada's first black governor general - the representative of Queen Elizabeth, Canada's titular head of state.Ms Jean is a Haitian immigrant and Canada's first black governor general - the representative of Queen Elizabeth, Canada's titular head of state.
Mr Obama later met Mr Harper at Parliament Hill in Ottawa for what was billed as a working lunch with the prime minister and senior members of his cabinet. Mr Obama is due to meet opposition Liberal Party leader Michael Ignatieff at the airport before he returns to Washington in time for dinner.
Following a news conference, Mr Obama will meet opposition Liberal Party leader Michael Ignatieff at the airport before he returns to Washington in time for dinner.
Busloads of Obama supporters have arrived in Ottawa, hoping for a glimpse of the president, in contrast to the thousands of protesters who descended on the capital for President George W Bush's visit in 2004.Busloads of Obama supporters have arrived in Ottawa, hoping for a glimpse of the president, in contrast to the thousands of protesters who descended on the capital for President George W Bush's visit in 2004.
Mr Obama is very popular in Canada: 66% of Canadians wanted him to be president according to a Gallup opinion poll, but the high security surrounding his visit may mean Canadians hardly see him in person.Mr Obama is very popular in Canada: 66% of Canadians wanted him to be president according to a Gallup opinion poll, but the high security surrounding his visit may mean Canadians hardly see him in person.