Recapping the North American Economic Security mission to Washington D.C.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce convened a delegation of Canadian business leaders in Washington D.C. on May 1 and May 2 for a series of engagements with key U.S. officials, business leaders, and other members of the D.C. public policy community. The business-led mission, organized in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), highlighted the importance of cooperation between the North American economies for preserving our mutual economic security.

Canada and the United States share one of the largest trading relationships in the world, underpinned by the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). Together, Canada, the United States, and Mexico comprise almost a third of global GDP. 

As part of the Canadian Chamber’s Canada-U.S. Engagement Plan, the Canadian Chamber organized the second of four 2024 business-led trade missions to the U.S. on May 1 and May 2. The mission was focused on North American Economic Security in the context of the 2026 CUSMA review, approaching federal elections in all three member countries, and growing geopolitical volatility worldwide.

The Canadian Chamber’s business delegation was comprised of two dozen Canadian business leaders from various sectors including energy, tech, finance, insurance, transportation, professional services. The delegation also included representatives from provincial partner organizations. 

For more information regarding the delegation and the North American Economic Security Mission, you can view the mission news release here.

Working lunch at the Canadian Embassy in Washington D.C.

Canadian Chamber delegates kicked off the mission with a working lunch at the Embassy of Canada in Washington D.C. Delegates received a briefing from key Embassy officials responsible for energy, innovation, agriculture, and more.

High-level roundtables featuring U.S. business leaders at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Canadian Chamber delegates participated in high level roundtables discussions featuring U.S. business leaders, as well as key members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce leadership team, John Murphy, Senior Vice President and Head of International Policy, and Jack Howard, Senior Vice President for Strategic Advocacy. Additionally, delegates also engaged with David Paterson, Ontario’s Representative in Washington, D.C., Benjamin Bélair, Director of the Québec Government Office in Washington D.C., and James Rajotte, Alberta’s senior representative to the United States, on the provincial perspectives on Canada-U.S. relations. The discussion with the Canadian provincial representatives was moderated by Laura Dawson, Executive Director of the Future Borders Coalition.

High-level roundtables with experts and former government officials at the Center for Strategic and International Studies

The second day of the mission started with a series of high-level roundtable discussions regarding Canada-U.S. relations at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. In addition to the Canadian Chamber delegation, participants included leading policy experts, key political staff working on Capitol Hill, as well as former senior U.S. government officials. 

North American Economic Security in an Era of Geopolitical Uncertainty

The Canadian Chamber, in partnership with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, convened a public discussion regarding opportunities to strengthen North American economic security in an era of geopolitical uncertainty. The event brought together former leading trade negotiators from the three CUSMA countries, as well as former government officials, and renowned policy experts. Speakers included, Kirsten Hillman, Ambassador of Canada to the United States, Steve Verheul, Chief Trade Negotiator for Canada (2017-2021), Ronald Kirk, U.S. Trade Representative (2009-2013), Kenneth Smith Ramos, Chief Trade Negotiator for Mexico (2017-2018), Gerónimo Gutiérrez, Ambassador of Mexico to the United States (2017-2018), and Peter MacKay, Canada’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs, National Defence, and Attorney General, among others.

The full recording of this event can be viewed here.

An overview of key highlights from Politico’s coverage of this event can also be viewed here.

Networking & Cocktail Reception at the Center for Strategic and International Studies

Towards a stronger, more prosperous North America

Throughout the mission it was clear that there is immense potential for North American economic leadership in the world that has not yet been fully realized. In the current turbulent international moment, this is especially apparent. As we look towards the coming 2026 review of CUSMA, the Canadian Chamber will continue to champion the potential of Canadian businesses to play a driving role in advancing North American economic security and prosperity.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce extends our sincere thanks to our sponsors, Bruce Power and Expedia, for their support, and also to our partners in Washington D.C., the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the Embassy of Canada in Washington D.C.

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