President Barack Obama, 23 Jan. 2009

President Barack Obama is heading north, to Canada, for his first international trip as U.S. commander-in-chief.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Wednesday Mr. Obama will meet with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper during the trip on February 19.  

The spokesman said the health of each economy and the global economy will be a large part of the agenda. He said trade will also likely be discussed.

In other news, the spokesman said Mr. Obama has called South African President Kgalema Motlanthe - the latest in a series of world leaders that Mr. Obama has talked with since taking office January 20.