December 3, 2021 – Washington, D.C. – Global Affairs Canada
Canada and the United States have one of the closest trade relationships in the world, built on shared values and deeply integrated supply chains that support hundreds of thousands of jobs and opportunities on both sides of the border.
Today, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, concluded a visit to Washington, D.C., where she was joined by Canadian consuls general from across the U.S. and members of Parliament from both sides of the House of Commons.
Over 3 days, the Team Canada delegation emphasized the importance of the Canada-U.S. secure and resilient supply chain and the key role it will play in the post-pandemic economic recovery.
The Team convened more than 50 meetings with U.S. presidential administration officials, including Katherine Tai, United States Trade Representative, members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives from both parties, representatives of binational labour unions, and automotive industry and business leaders to advocate for the future of industries and workers on both sides of the border who would be seriously affected by the proposed electric vehicle tax credits in the Build Back Better Act.
Minister Ng also raised Canada-U.S. trade issues of serious concern for Canada and Canadians, including protectionist Buy America provisions in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. She reiterated that Canada is disappointed by the doubling of U.S. duties on Canadian softwood lumber and reaffirmed that Canada is committed to working collaboratively on the scientific and technical aspects of exports of fresh potatoes from the province of Prince Edward Island to the U.S.
As laid out in the Road Map for a Renewed Canada-U.S. Partnership, which Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Joe Biden agreed to on February 23 and to which they reaffirmed their commitment at the North American Leaders’ Summit on November 18, the success of the shared Canada-U.S. manufacturing supply chains will be crucial to supporting North American competitiveness, and the two countries are committed to a strong, sustainable, and inclusive shared recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.