Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall is headed to Iowa to help promote trade between Canada and the U.S.
Wall is scheduled to visit the state capital of Des Moines on Wednesday. The trip is a result of discussions with Prime Minister Trudeau. Wall offered Saskatchewan’s assistance in engaging with the U.S. at the national and state level.
The prime Minister asked Wall to represent Canada in Iowa, along with Andrew Leslie, the parliamentary secretary to the federal minister of foreign affairs.
“Canada and the United States have forged one the most successful economic partnerships the world has ever seen,” Wall said in a media release Monday.
“Millions of families on both sides of the borders benefit from trade. Now, more than ever, we need to actively promote the advantages of trade and point out the dangers of protectionism. We must be vigilant in protecting our shared prosperity.”
During the trip, Wall will highlight the $1.4-trillion trade and investment relationship between the two countries, and speak to the value of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
His itinerary includes meetings with Iowa Governor Terry Branstad and Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds and delivering remarks to the Iowa Senate and House of Representatives. Wall will also participate in a roundtable discussion with state agricultural organizations and speak at an evening reception attended by 200 business, government and academic representatives.
Saskatchewan exporters shipped $355 million U.S. worth of goods to Iowa last year – primarily potash, oats, canola oil and live pigs. Iowa in turn shipped $363 million U.S. worth of products, primarily agricultural equipment, to Saskatchewan in 2016.
“The United States is Saskatchewan’s largest export market and that economic relationship is critical to maintaining a strong Saskatchewan economy and contributing to the one in five Saskatchewan jobs that depend on international trade,” Wall said.
“Missions like this one are important in nurturing relationships with key U.S. decision makers and reinforcing the mutual benefits that derive from trade, investment and co-operation.”
