Foreign Affairs Minister advocates for Canada-United States trade in Washington

News Release

January 9, 2018 - Ottawa, Canada - Global Affairs Canada

No two countries in the world share a stronger or more integrated economic relationship than the United States and Canada. The Government of Canada is working closely with the United States to strengthen our trade relationship and create new opportunities for workers, businesses and middle class families on both sides of the border.

As part of these efforts, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, visited Washington, D.C., today to meet with key representatives from the U.S. administration and the Senate and stress the importance of NAFTA as an engine of growth and prosperity for both countries.

The Minister met with Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross as well as senators Pat Roberts from Kansas, Lindsey Graham from South Carolina, Jeff Flake from Arizona, Lamar Alexander from Tennessee, Deb Fischer from Nebraska, Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts and Joni Ernst from Iowa. The Minister also met with House Ways and Means member Dave Reichert, Representative for Washington’s 8th Congressional District.

Quotes

“Canada and the United States enjoy one of the closest relationships of any two countries in the world. We are friends, we are allies and we are partners. For 24 years NAFTA has created opportunities, jobs and a better life for our peoples. This is why, from day one of the negotiations, Canada has brought concrete proposals on how we can modernize NAFTA to the benefit of Canadian, American and Mexican citizens. We are focused on achieving real progress, including in Montréal‎ later this month.”

- The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, P.C., M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs

Quick Facts

  • Canada and the United States share the world’s longest secure border, over which approximately 400,000 people, and goods and services worth $2.4 billion, cross daily.

  • Canada and the United States share one of the largest trading relationships in the world. Canada is the largest market for the United States–larger than China, Japan and the United Kingdom combined.

  • Canada is the number-one export destination for most American states, and cross-border trade and investment support nearly 9 million jobs in the United States. 

  • Canada and the United States share values and interests on a range of international issues, including human rights, democracy, development, defence, nuclear non-proliferation and counterterrorism.

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Contacts

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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