Canada-United States meetings over time

Prime Minister Mark Carney will meet US President Donald Trump for the first time today since his election on April 28. Here is a retrospective of the Canada-United States meetings over the years.

Posted at 11:55 a.m.

William Lion Mackenzie King et Harry Truman

On November 10, 1945, US President Harry Truman held a state supper where he invited Canada Prime Minister William Lion Mackenzie King and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Clement Atlee. The three powers have, among other things, discussed the management of the atomic bomb. The meeting took place a few days before American Thanksgiving. On the menu of supper, we had stuffed turkey with cranberry jelly and a creamy soup garnished with custard.

John G. Diefensbaker it DWIGHY D. Eisenhower

On June 3, 1960, President Dwight D. Eisenhower received his Canadian counterpart John G. Diefenbaker in the context of a state supper, during which the president and the Prime Minister reaffirmed their bonds of friendship and promised to work together to maintain peace and to put an end to nuclear tests. The two men met a few times afterwards during the second term of Eisenhower.

Lester B. Pearson, John F. Kennedy et Lyndon B. Johnson

In the first half of the 1960s, Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson met John F. Kennedy and, following the assassination of the latter, his successor Lyndon B. Johnson. It was with Mr. Johnson that the Columbia River Treaty was concluded in 1964. This treaty consisted in building three hydroelectric dams on the Canadian side and one on the American side “for an optimal annual electricity production and a reduction in the risk of devastating floods”, according to the Canadian government website.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau et Richard Nixon

On March 24, 1969, President Nixon and his wife Pat held their first state supper and received Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau. According to the archives of the White House, this supper was marked by exchanges, especially on the passion for the ski of the Canadian Prime Minister. We also learn that Pierre Elliott Trudeau has been swimming in the White House swimming pool.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau et Gerald Ford

Aimed by the Watergate scandal, Richard Nixon was replaced by Gerald Ford in 1974. During the mandate of Mr. Ford, Mr. Trudeau made some visits.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau et Jimmy Carter

On February 21, 1977, President Jimmy Carter received Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau as part of a state supper. This supper was the second run by the Carter presidency, the first having been the one where he received his Mexican counterpart Jose Lopez Portillo. The discussions revolved around Canadian oil and natural gas exports, as well as the possibility of separation from Quebec. There were several meetings between the two men during the mandate of Mr. Carter, from 1977 to 1981, notably during the signing of the Panama Canal Treaty in September 1977. Note also that Canada contributed to the release of American hostages in Iran in January 1980.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau et Ronald Reagan

The United States elected Ronald Reagan to the post of president in November 1980. However, it was not until 1983 that Pierre Elliott Trudeau met, notably as part of an economic summit held in Virginia.

Brian Mulroney et Ronald Reagan

On March 18, 1986, President Ronald Reagan had a state supper during which the Prime Minister of Canada Brian Mulroney was invited. After a protocol ceremony, the two men discussed damage caused by acid rains, agreed to extend Norad and approved the development of a inhabited space station. During the second state supper between the two men, on April 27, 1988, the intentions to act against the acid rains were reinforced.

Brian Mulroney, George H. Bush et Bill Clinton

During the one and only mandate of George Bush Father, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney met him a few times. It is also during this mandate where the North American free trade agreement is signed with Mexico. The Prime Minister of Canada subsequently had private meetings with Democratic President Bill Clinton.

Jean Chiemen, Bill Clinton It George W. Bush

The two men were fortunate to meet on multiple times during the mandates of President Clinton, not to mention the state supper of April 8, 1997, during which discussions focused on the protection of wild animals, the enlargement of NATO and the promotion of trade. After the Clinton mandates, Jean Chrétien had meetings with George W. Bush, marked in particular by the refusal of Canada to send Canadian troops to Iraq.

Paul Martin et George W. Bush

Prime Minister Paul Martin had work meetings with US President George W. Bush. He also attended the G8 economic summit (formerly) in June 2004.

Stephen Harper, George W. Bush et Barack Obama

Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper began his first minority term while George W. Bush was president. Mr. Harper had work meetings with Mr. W. Bush. During the first mandate of Barack Obama, Stephen Harper welcomed him in Ottawa, participated in the G8 economic summit in Pennsylvania in September 2009 and that of APEC in November 2011.

Justin Trudeau, Barack Obama, Donald Trump et Joe Biden

On March 10, 2016, President Barack Obama received Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as part of a state supper, a first since 1997. After the departure of Mr. Obama de la Maison White, Justin Trudeau met President Donald Trump as part of the G7 meeting in Charlevoix in 2018 and work meetings. Members of the Cabinet Trudeau have also piloted the renegotiation of Alena, now known as the Canada-US-Mexico (ACEUM) agreement. Then, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau received President Joe Biden in March 2023. The latter delivered a speech in the House of Commons. Finally, while the specter of a point war on the horizon, the president appointed Donald Trump received Prime Minister Trudeau in Mar-A-Lago last November.

With The White House Historical Association and the Bureau of the Historian of the State Secretariat