With Canada-U.S. relationship in question, Brad Wall says countries must enhance trade relations
Premier in Iowa at request of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall has told Iowa legislators that it's important Canada and the United States enhance their trade relations, especially at a time when there is debate about the future of their relationship.
Wall was speaking in Des Moines to the state's House of Representatives on the $1.4-trillion trade and investment relationship between the two countries and on the value of the North American Free Trade Agreement.
It's worth our diligence and it's worth each of us being vigilant to ensure that the relationship is enhanced.- Brad Wall, Saskatchewan premier
Wall is in Iowa at the request of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after the premier offered Saskatchewan's help to promote trade.
Wall says the Canada-U.S. trade relationship represents an integration of both nation's economies.
He cited as an example Saskatchewan farmers who plant and harvest their crops using machinery manufactured in Iowa.
Wall's itinerary also included remarks to the Iowa Senate, meetings with Gov. Terry Branstad and a roundtable discussion with state agricultural organizations.
'Value chain'
Canada is the U.S.'s largest customer and accounted for $266 billion US worth of imports last year.
"This [trade] relationship represents a value chain," said Wall. "So it's worth our diligence and it's worth each of us being vigilant to ensure that the relationship is enhanced."
Wall also took time to promote Saskatchewan's agricultural products. He noted that the province is one of the world's biggest exporters of durum wheat, rye, canola, mustard seed and lentils.
"About 60 per cent of the world's exports of lentils and peas are grown by our pulse farmers. We just can't eat it all."
The premier said earlier this week that it's important to actively promote the advantages of trade and point out what he called the "dangers of protectionism."
Wall was to be accompanied on his trip by Andrew Leslie, the parliamentary secretary for foreign affairs.