Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will attend a dinner at the White House on Wednesday evening, while the U.S. president will host leaders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Joe Biden’s health has been under close international scrutiny since his disastrous performance in last month’s debate against Donald Trump.
Joe Biden’s team has said the president is more alert early in the day and tries to avoid events after 8 p.m., but that’s when the meal should begin.
On Tuesday evening, the American president delivered a clear and energetic speech at the celebration of the 75the NATO anniversary, at a critical moment for the Democratic leader and for the stability of his party. With the world watching, it was an important opportunity for Joe Biden to prove that he is still capable of leading the United States.
On Tuesday, Trudeau dodged a question from reporters who asked him whether he was concerned about the president’s health.
The prime minister is facing his own external pressures. Ahead of the NATO summit, American politicians publicly criticized Canada for falling far short of its financial commitments.
NATO allies have agreed to spend at least 2% of their national gross domestic product on defence. Canada’s current spending is just under 1.4%.
Trudeau tried to preempt the criticism in a speech Tuesday in which he said Canada had delivered on its promises to significantly increase that funding. But it’s an issue that will likely continue to follow him as he meets with his international counterparts.
He is due to meet with new Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol. He is also expected to attend a meeting with the leaders of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden and Norway.
During the three-day NATO summit in Washington, the conflict between Ukraine and Russia is expected to take center stage.
The 32 allies are due to gather for a meeting of the North Atlantic Council after a welcoming ceremony on Wednesday afternoon.