Today, Steve McLellan, CEO of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce is meeting with partners in the North Dakota chamber network as the Chamber continues to advocate the value of open trade borders despite the recent steel and aluminum tariffs imposed by the U.S. government and subsequent retaliatory measures taken by the Canadian government.
“Trade between neighbours has always been important and our relationship with our closest neighbours is critical,” said Steve McLellan, CEO Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce.
“Trade is also a two-way street and fair trade has been the focus of much of our efforts in the last couple years. This trip will reinforce our position and our relationship with our chamber colleagues across the border.”
Here in Saskatchewan, exports to North Dakota totalled more than $518 million in 2017, while the province imported nearly $1.6 billion over the same period, according to a Chamber press release.
Since North Dakota currently has a trade surplus of more than $1 billion per year with Saskatchewan, it is clearly in their best interest to maintain a positive relationship when it comes to cross-border trade, the Chamber states.
Joining the SCC on the trip south of the border is the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce. The group will meet with representatives from the Minot, Grand Forks, Bismark and Greater North Dakota Chambers of Commerce.
“While we (MCC) support the decision by the prime minister, we strongly believe adding barriers to trade will result in no winners, and only add to increased and unneeded tensions between our two countries,” said Chuck Davidson, president and CEO of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce.
“North Dakota is our closest trading partner and we, as a chamber network, must continue to share the importance of trade and not let tariffs impact businesses in our two jurisdictions.”
