President Joe Biden outlined a vision of world‑leading United States‑Canadian economic cooperation in a speech to Canada’s parliament on Friday, and announced that the two neighbours had reached a deal to curb illegal migration. Standing ovations from Canadian lawmakers punctuated Biden’s roughly half‑hour address in Ottawa, which was thick with praise for North American unity—a sentiment echoed earlier by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in his own remarks. “Americans and Canadians are two peoples, two countries, in my view sharing one heart,” Biden said, drawing cheers when he vowed that Canada will “always be able to count on the United States.”
Biden signaled a resolution to a longstanding irritant in the bilateral relationship by unveiling a deal on managing undocumented migration across the lengthy border. “The United States and Canada will work together to discourage unlawful border crossings,” he declared. Under the arrangement, undocumented asylum seekers who cross from the United States into Canada will be turned back, while Canada will simultaneously expand pathways for legal entry. The plan, reminiscent of a crackdown on the heavily used U.S.–Mexico border, has drawn criticism from migrants’‑rights activists. Both leaders face political pressure to relieve their strained immigration systems, and Biden emphasized that “welcoming refugees and asylum seekers is a part of who Canadians and Americans are.” Amnesty International’s Julia Sande warned that the deal will have “devastating impacts on refugee claimants who are already at extreme risk,” pushing people toward more dangerous crossings in remote areas or into the hands of smugglers.
Biden opened his speech with a nod to Canadian bilingualism, greeting parliamentarians with “good afternoon” and “bonjour,” joking that this was as far as he had gotten in four years of French at school. The friendly tone continued as he described a future in which the neighbours are ever more closely bound, with joint goals of building high‑tech economies and reinforcing supply chains for semiconductors and critical minerals used in electric‑vehicle manufacturing. “We’re going to write the future together,” he said. Earlier, Trudeau greeted Biden at the parliament building, declaring that Canada has “no greater friend and ally than the United States,” a message underscored by the gift of a chocolate bar from Peace by Chocolate, a brand founded by Syrian refugees.
Face‑to‑face talks between Biden and Trudeau covered a range of issues where both sides seek improvements. The U.S. has been pressuring Canada to increase its defence spending, which stood at 1.33 percent of GDP in 2022 and is slated to rise to 1.59 percent from 2026—still below NATO’s 2‑percent benchmark. A joint statement said the leaders agreed to modernise their shared air‑defence alliance, NORAD, with Canada committing billions of dollars to upgraded radar and fighter‑aircraft infrastructure. They also reaffirmed support for a pro‑Western Ukraine “for as long as it takes” in its war against Russian invasion, and issued a warning to China. “Canada and the United States acknowledge the serious long‑term challenge to the international order posed by the People’s Republic of China, including disruptive actions such as economic coercion, non‑market policies and practices, and human rights abuses,” the statement read. “While we will cooperate with China in areas of mutual interest, such as on climate change, we remain committed to ensuring our ability to compete effectively with China on a level playing field.”
At a joint news conference, Biden said he believed China has not sent arms to Russia since President Vladimir Putin’s forces invaded Ukraine, adding, “Doesn’t mean they won’t, but they haven’t yet.” He emphasized, “I don’t take China lightly. I don’t take Russia lightly,” while suggesting reports of a rapprochement between the two were likely exaggerated. The United States and Canada remain among the strongest supporters of Kyiv.
Closer to home, the leaders expressed continued concern about deteriorating security in Haiti, though they did not specify progress on long‑discussed plans for an international intervention force to stabilise the chaotic Caribbean nation. Trudeau announced an additional C$100 million (US$73 million) in humanitarian relief and training for Haitian police, along with a plan to welcome 15,000 more migrants from Haiti, Colombia, Ecuador and other Western‑Hemisphere countries.
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