Obama arrives in Canada on first foreign trip

飞雪寒冰

The president was greeted by Governor General Michaelle Jean at the airport. The two will hold a 10-minute private meeting before Obama heads to the Parliament Hill for a few hours' stay.

飞雪寒冰

Obama will talk with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the two leaders will hold a joint press conference later in the afternoon.

Economy, trade, energy, environment and Afghanistan will be major topics of the discussions.

The two leaders are expected to start the framework for negotiations for a North American environmental and energy accord, Canadian Environment Minister Jim Prentice confirmed earlier Thursday.

Obama will also hold a brief meeting with Michael Ignatieff, leader of Canada's official opposition the Liberal Party, at the airport before he returns to Washington.

This is the president's first foreign trip since his inauguration in January. Officials from both sides hailed the visit as a token of the "special friendship" between the two neighbors.