White House to hold state dinner for Canada’s prime minister

The White House says Trudeau will attend a state dinner on March 10 in a visit meant to boost ties between the neighboring countries.

U.S. President Barack Obama, right, and Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stand up following their bilateral meeting at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Manila, Philippines, Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015.

Trudeau also disagreed with Obama’s decision to scrap the controversial pipeline project, a choice made just days after Trudeau took office in November.

The U.S.is Canada’s largest trading partner, consuming about three-quarters of its exports, and Trudeau said after being elected in October repairing the relationship with Washington was among his highest priorities.

Bill Clinton was the last US president to host a Canadian prime minister, Jean Chrétien, at a state dinner in 1997. The gray hair caught up with me, and it’ll catch up with you.

White House officials said the two leaders would discuss issues including climate change, investment, trade, border security and “global leadership”.

Are relations between Canada and the United States warming after 10 years of Conservative rule?

The White House had previously signaled the visit would occur next year but had not announced a date.