OTTAWA, CANADA — U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Suzanne P. Clark met this week with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to discuss the strength and importance of the U.S.-Canada economic relationship, as well as opportunities to build a more competitive and resilient North American economy. The meeting took place during a multi-day trip to Ottawa, which included engagements with top Canadian government leaders and a keynote address to a gathering of Canadian business leaders hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Canada in partnership with the Business Council of Canada and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
Meeting with Prime Minister Trudeau. Clark met with Prime Minister Trudeau in his West Block office for a wide-ranging discussion on bilateral relations, USMCA and North American Competitiveness, and global challenges.
“The U.S.-Canada economic partnership is thriving and could be stronger still—and that’s important not only to each of our countries, but also to the world,” said Clark. “The global challenges and opportunities of this century require North American leadership and competitiveness, and it will be rooted in the deep and abiding ties between our nations. The United States and Canada need to lock arms, face outward, and together promote the values the world needs at this critical moment: democracy, free enterprise, open markets, and the rule of law.”
"Canada and the United States have built robust, integrated economies with reliable supply chains and good jobs in almost every sector," said Prime Minister Trudeau. "We'll continue to work with our American partners on these and other shared priorities."
Gathering of the Canadian Business Community. Clark addressed the Canadian business community at an event hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Canada in partnership with the Business Council of Canada and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. During her remarks, she highlighted the need for full compliance with USMCA, calling on the U.S. to quickly implement the panel ruling on Automotive Rules of Origin and avoid the expansion of Buy American rules to new products and sectors. On the Canadian side, she pressed government leaders to honor the enhanced market access granted to the U.S. and Mexico for dairy products, halt implementation of a digital services tax, and refrain from legislative or regulatory action in the digital trade space that discriminates against U.S. companies.
Meetings with Canadian Government and U.S. Embassy Officials. In addition to her meeting with Prime Minister Trudeau, Clark discussed U.S.-Canada business ties with U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Cohen; Canadian Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman; Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business, and Economic Development Mary Ng; Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry François Phillipe Champagne; and key members of parliament.
