The Chretien government has been more open about its opposition to oil drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a move Bush supports on the grounds that the U.S. Geological Survey estimates the region could yield nearly 12 billion barrels of oil. Canada and the United States also have profound differences over how to deal with Cuba. Washington insists that the only Communist country in the hemisphere must be isolated. The invitation was organized as a face-saving gesture to Canadians increasingly concerned about being edged aside by Mexico. Secretary of State Colin L. Powell underscored Mexico's new prominence when he made the trip announcement.
Canadian officials claim that ties between the two countries are too deep to sour.
At their meeting, Bush denied a preference for Mexico. I've got a preference for friends, and Canadians are long-standing friends of the United States. Yet the differences also play out in party and personal relationships. Chretien leads Canada's Liberal Party and had close political ties to former President Clinton. His hope that then-Vice President Al Gore would win the 2000 election was widely noted in the Canadian media.