OBAMA IN HIS FIRST FOREIGN TRIP IN CANADA

OBAMA IN HIS FIRST FOREIGN TRIP IN CANADA

The president Barack Obama tried to calm fears about American protectionism and assure Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper that he wants to grow trade between the two nations during his first foreign trip as president. The President Obama arrived in Ottawa, Canada this morning for his first foreign visit as commander-in-chief. The day-long trip is jampacked. So far, Obama has met with Canada's Governor-General, Michäelle Jean and Prime Minister Stephen Harper. In a longer lunch meeting later today, Obama will discuss a variety of issues including climate change, the Afghanistan War and trade with the leader of our northern neighbor. Obama made a quick entrance to Parliament Hill and failed to greet the crowd of more than 500 Canadians who gathered to catch a glimpse of the new president and prime minister. Obama comments he told the Canadian leader during talks in Ottawa that there is nothing in the stimulus package that would run counter to that goal. Obama had caused some nervousness in Canada by pledging during the presidential campaign to renegotiate NAFTA, the trade agreement linking the U.S., Canada and Mexico, to get better labor and environmental standards. Both leaders said Thursday that as economies around the world face challenges, it's important for the U.S. and others to resist calls for protectionism.