10.28.15

Cantwell and Colleagues Congratulate Canadian Prime Minister Designate, Encourage Strong Partnership Between Nations

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and nine other U.S. Northern border senators sent a letter to Canadian Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau congratulating him on his historic electoral victory.

Cantwell, joined by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Al Franken (D-MN), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), and Jon Tester (D-MT), reaffirmed the important relationship between Canada and the United States.

“As U.S. Senators representing northern border states, we write to congratulate you on your historic electoral victory and to reaffirm our commitment to the close partnership between Canada and the United States. Our two nations share a bond dedicated to common goals of freedom, prosperity, and opportunity for all of our citizens. We are each other’s largest trading partners, and hundreds of thousands of Americans and Canadians travel freely across our common border every day. We stand side by side in addressing many shared global challenges."

“The United States shares a deep friendship and cooperation with the people and government of Canada.  We look forward to working closely with you.  Again, congratulations on your election,” the senators wrote in their letter.

The United States and Canada have a unique bilateral relationship. Aside from addressing joint energy, environmental and security concerns, the US and Canada remain strong trading partners.

  • Nearly 9 million U.S. jobs depend on trade and investment with Canada.
  • In 2013, $1.4 million in goods and services were exchanged between the US and Canada each minute.
  • Canada is the top export destination for 35 states.
  • 400,000 people cross the Canada–U.S. border daily.
  • Canada and the U.S. are the world's largest trading partners with $632 billion in total goods trade in 2013.

The letter can be viewed online here.

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