Provinces bolster relationships with their U.S. trading partners

Officials reach out to both Democrats and Republicans ahead of close race

- KELLY GERALDINE MALONE

U.S. President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Ottawa in 2023. The Liberal government is taking a proactive approach to strengthen connections with both the Biden and Donald Trump camps as the tight presidential race continues.

Provinces are reaching out to Democrats and Republicans alike to make their case for co-operation, bolstering efforts by the federal government to ensure Canada is prepared for any outcome in the upcoming United States election.

“I see provinces and Team Canada both ramping up their efforts,” said Laura Dawson, an expert on Canada-U.S. relations and executive director of the Future Borders Coalition.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose Liberals came to power in October 2015, was criticized for being unprepared for the first Donald Trump presidency after the 2016 U.S. election.

Their relationship was notably rocky throughout the Republican leader’s four-year tenure.

The Liberal government is taking a more proactive approach this time around to bolster connections with both the Trump and Joe Biden camps as the tight presidential race continues.

Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne is making regular visits south of the border as part of the Team Canada engagement strategy. Canada’s ambassador to the U.S., Kirsten Hillman, has been pounding the pavement from state to state along with business leaders and stakeholder groups.