Minister MacAulay visits Boston to promote Canada-U.S. agricultural trade

OTTAWA, March 13, 2018 /CNW/ - On the heels of successful missions to Tennessee and California, Minister MacAulay travelled to Boston, Massachusetts this week to attend Seafood Expo North America, the largest seafood trade exposition in North America.

This two-day mission will help to strengthen trade between Canada and the United States, driving economic growth, creating new middle-class jobs and delivering more benefits for hard-working Canadians from coast to coast to coast. Canada and the United States share deeply integrated economies and enjoy the largest bilateral trade and investment relationship in the world.

Minister MacAulay was joined by representatives from a number of provincial governments including several premiers and provincial ministers of agriculture and fisheries. The delegation brought a unified voice on the benefits of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to all three countries.

In Boston, the Minister participated in a New England-Canada Business Council panel on NAFTA, highlighting the importance of the agreement and discussing opportunities to grow trade in Canada and the U.S.  

Minister MacAulay also met with Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito to impress upon her Canada's commitment to modernizing NAFTA in a way that is beneficial to all.

Quote

"Massachusetts and Canada share a strong trade relationship that creates good, middle class jobs on both sides of the border. The Government of Canada is committed to working collaboratively to strengthen our trade relationship in a way that allows us both to grow and expand our opportunities with our American partners."
-       The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Quick facts

• In 2016, agricultural trade between Canada and Massachusetts totalled $917.3 million (CAD).
• Canada and the United States are important trade partners for agriculture, agri-food and seafood, with bilateral trade in these areas reaching $62 billion (CAD) in 2016.
• Canada is the top agriculture and agri-food export market for 29 states, including Massachusetts. In 2016, Canada exported $4.3 billion (CAD) in fish and seafood products to the U.S.
• In 2016, Canada exported $4.3 billion (CAD) in fish and seafood products to the U.S.

Associated links

• Canada-United States Bilateral Agricultural and Agri-food Trade
• Canada-United States Trade 2016 - State Factsheets
• Canadian Trade Commissioner Service ? United States
• Agriculture and Food Market Intelligence ? United States

Follow us on Twitter: @AAFC_Canada
Like us on Facebook: CanadianAgriculture

SOURCE Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Halifax