The problem? The issue of immigration, which is a concern for the United States internationally, but above all politically explosive within the country. It directly involves Mexico, a buffer country between Central America and the United States. Their collaboration is essential for managing irregular immigration at the border. This is exacerbated by the end of measures associated with the pandemic and the desire to live, as always, even a fraction of the American dream. To add to the delicate situation, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, where many of the migrants fleeing violence and poverty come from, have also decided to refuse President Biden's invitation.

Canada to welcome 4,000 migrants from the South, confirms 50,000 more workers

Prime Minister Trudeau also met with Joe Biden at the Summit, but the meeting went under the radar. While he reiterated that the United States has no better friends than Canada, it is clear that in concrete terms, we are not as important on the American agenda… Together, they reiterated their military and humanitarian aid to support Ukraine. But the most concrete commitment is that of Canada, which is committed to welcoming 4,000 migrants from Latin America by 2028 to take some pressure off the United States, as well as confirming that it will bring in an additional 50,000 agricultural workers from Mexico, Guatemala and the Caribbean.

Canada-California Bilateral Agreement

One positive news story to come out of the Summit involves the state of California and Canada. In addition to having nearly identical populations, they are both passionate about climate change and taking action to slow global warming. Will both go that far? Maybe not, but California Governor Gavin Newsom and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took advantage of a meeting on the sidelines of the Summit to sign a bilateral agreement.

The agreement aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the use of single-use plastics, promote electric vehicles and take steps to prevent as much as possible the wildfires that have raged in both California and Western Canada in recent years. Both also encourage, through their policies, the creation of jobs in the renewable energy and environmental sectors.

Biden's messages internationally increasingly have a clear objective: to be heard by American citizens who really need to be convinced of his presidency, which is plummeting in the latest polls. Unfortunately, the event will have been another demonstration that the influence of the United States is no longer what it once was. Canada, which will always remain an essential partner as a neighbouring country, is right to continue building alliances with the rest of the planet.