Parliamentary Secretary Alghabra to advance Canada’s interests at National Governors Association meeting

July 24, 2019 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

Canada and the United States are steadfast allies and enjoy a trading relationship that supports millions of jobs and economic growth in both countries.

To advance Canada’s interests, Omar Alghabra, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade Diversification, will participate in the National Governors Association (NGA) Summer Meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah. This annual meeting brings together state governors from across the United States.

Parliamentary Secretary Alghabra will use this opportunity to highlight the mutual benefits of the new NAFTA, Canada’s opposition to Buy America initiatives, and the value of ongoing cross-border trade and investment.

The Parliamentary Secretary will meet with a number of U.S. governors and Utah State business leaders, participate in a session on infrastructure priorities and attend an event in honour of the incoming NGA Chair, Governor Larry Hogan of Maryland. These meetings will be an opportunity for Canada and key U.S. state trade partners and stakeholders to discuss how CUSMA will support job growth and economic prosperity.

Quotes

“We will continue to defend Canadian interests, jobs and living standards, and to uphold Canadian values. That’s what we did in our negotiations for the new NAFTA. This week’s National Governors Association meeting is a key opportunity to continue to advance these interests.”
- Omar Alghabra, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade Diversification

Quick facts

Canada and the United States share the longest secure border in the world, over which approximately 400,000 people and $2.6 billion worth of goods and services cross daily.
In 2018, bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and the United States increased 5.7%, to $742.9 billion.
Bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and Utah was valued at $4.8 billion in 2018.
Millions of U.S. jobs depend on trade and investment with Canada.
Canada is the top trade partner for 26 U.S. states and the second-biggest trade partner for nine U.S. states.
In 2018, the stock of bilateral investments between Canada and the U.S. amounted to $1.0 trillion, with Canadian direct investment in the U.S. at $595 billion and U.S. direct investment in Canada at $406 billion.
Canada is the United States’ largest customer, buying more goods from the United States than from China, Japan and the United Kingdom combined.
Trade between NAFTA countries—Canada, the United States, and Mexico—was valued at nearly $1.5 trillion in 2018.

Associated links

Contacts

Zara Rabinovitch
Acting Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of International Trade Diversification
613-404-2382
[email protected]

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
[email protected]
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