Short trip, long agenda: Obama darts up to Canada

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Short trip, long agenda: Obama darts up to Canada

By BEN FELLER
Associated Press Writer


AP Photo/Charles Dharapak


OTTAWA (AP) -- Outside U.S. borders for the first time as president, Barack Obama launched a brisk, closely watched visit Thursday with leaders of Canada, an essential economic ally.

The president touched down late morning in Ottawa, headed into a day of meetings that will center on the crashing economy, trade fears and the troubling state of Afghanistan.

Obama was greeted off Air Force One by Governor General Michaelle Jean, who represents Britain's Queen Elizabeth II as head of state in a mostly ceremonial role. A platoon of red-coated Mounties lined a path on the icy tarmac as Obama and Jean headed indoors for a brief meeting at the airport.

It's Obama's first chance since taking office to command an audience abroad, let alone get an impression of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The two have not met previously.

Ottawa was awash in buzz about hosting the new president; supporters rolled in by the busload in hopes of a glimpse. Two-thirds of Canadians wanted Obama elected, a Gallup Poll found in October. Even more said the choice of the U.S. president affected their own nation.

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