Minister of International Trade to visit Ohio to highlight strong Canada-United States trade relations

News release

May 17, 2018 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

Canada and the United States enjoy the most successful bilateral trading relationship in the world, and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is an important component of this relationship. Our two countries not only sell to each other, we make things together to sell at home and abroad and, in doing so, create millions of well-paying jobs on both sides of the border. Our successes are reflected in all aspects of the partnership.

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade, will visit Cleveland, Ohio, from May 19 to 21, 2018, to further cultivate this long-standing cross-border trade relationship. The Minister will meet key leaders, including Frank G. Jackson, Mayor of Cleveland, and Loretta Mester, President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.

While in Cleveland, Minister Champagne will address the Cleveland Council on World Affairs, highlighting how NAFTA has contributed to the global competitiveness of the North American economy. The Minister will also deliver the commencement address to the graduating class at Case Western Reserve University’s prestigious School of Law, where he will highlight  notable areas of cooperation between Canada and the United States.

Maintaining strong people-to-people ties between border cities and states is a testament to the enduring positive relationship Canada and the United States share. As well, the education sector has long benefited from students crossing the border to attend each other’s education institutions. As a respected alumnus and long-standing patron of Case Western Reserve University, Minister Champagne will also be presented with an honorary doctorate from the School of Law during his visit.

Minister Champagne will also meet with officials of the United States Coast Guard and visit the NASA Glenn Research Center to discuss closer cooperation in trade, transportation, safety and innovation.

Quotes

“As long-standing partners and strong allies, Canada and the United States have grown prosperous together, with the State of Ohio playing a big role in our close trading relationship. NAFTA is a powerful example of the benefits of ongoing cooperation between our two countries.”

- François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of International Trade

Quick facts

  • NAFTA is the largest economic partnership in the world, with a regional market of 480 million consumers and a combined GDP of US$21 trillion.

  • Canada and the United States share the world’s longest secure border, over which approximately 400,000 people, and goods and services worth US$1.7 billion, cross daily.

  • Canada and the United States share one of the largest trading relationships in the world. Canada imported US$283 billion worth of U.S. goods in 2017—more than China, Japan and the United Kingdom combined.

  • Millions of good, middle-class jobs on both sides of the border depend on the partnership. Nearly 9 million U.S. jobs depend on Canadian trade and investment.

  • Ohio exports US$18.9 billion in goods and US$1.1 billion in services to Canada annually, while Canada exports US$12.2 billion in goods to Ohio each year.

  • Canada is the number one market for Ohio-made goods. Ohio sells more goods to Canada than to its next seven largest foreign markets combined.

  • Canada is a significant source of investment for Ohio. The 291 Canadian-owned companies operating in Ohio provide over 25,000 jobs, with an average annual wage of US$45,930.

  • In total, 308,700 jobs in Ohio depend on trade and investment with Canada.

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