Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau holds his son Hadrian as he steps off the plane with his wife Sophie at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on Wednesday.

WASHINGTON — Justin Trudeau hopes to strengthen U.S.-Canada relations today when the new, young liberal leader makes a much-anticipated visit to the White House.

Trudeau, who has captured Americans' attention in a way not seen since his father's time, gets one of the highest honors the U.S. reserves for close allies: a pomp-filled visit that includes a meeting with President Barack Obama and a state dinner, the first for Canada since 1997.

Trudeau, the 44-year-old son of late Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, is accompanied by his wife, Sophie Gregoire.

“He's going to make a real splash in Washington,” Canadian Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland said in a phone interview.

Trudeau's father swept into power in 1968 on a wave of support dubbed “Trudeaumania” and, with a short interruption, served until 1984. He was often compared to John F. Kennedy.

Canada is the United States' largest trading partner, with more than $2 billion worth of goods and services crossing the border daily.