Canadian Chamber leads North American Economic Security Mission to Washington, D.C.

[OTTAWA] — [April 26, 2024] — As part of its Canada-U.S. Engagement Plan, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce is leading its second of four 2024 missions to the U.S. on May 1 and May 2. The mission is 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. Earlier in April, the Chamber led a successful mission to D.C. on the topic of life science supply chain resiliency.

This engagement with our North American business counterparts and officials is vital, and I’m pleased to lead such a strong and diverse group of Canadian business leaders to D.C.

Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber’s delegation is made up of two dozen Canadian business leaders from various sectors including energy, tech, finance, insurance, transportation, professional services. It also includes representatives from provincial partner organizations. They will take part in two days of programming and engagement opportunities at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and the Embassy of Canada.

On day one, Canadian delegates will meet with Team Canada Hub leaders from Global Affairs and officials at the Embassy of Canada. They will then join U.S. Chamber members to hear from Canadian provincial reps in D.C., including David Paterson (Ontario), James Rajotte (Alberta) and Benjamin Belair (Quebec), as well as from U.S. Government representatives from the Departments of State, Commerce, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).

On day two, delegates will discuss trade issues at a private morning session with U.S.-Canada experts like Dr. Laura Dawson, Executive Director of the Future Borders Coalition and Josh Meltzer, Senior Fellow, Global Economy & Development at the Brookings Institution, as well as with senior American political staffers from both sides of the aisle.

In the afternoon, the Canadia Chamber has collaborated with the Americas Program at CSIS to present a public event, “North American Economic Security in an Era of Geopolitical Uncertainty,” which will feature former trade chief trade negotiators from the U.S., Canada and Mexico, and several political veterans with deep experience in foreign affairs and trade across North America.

Speakers on May 2 will include the Ambassador of Canada to the United States Kirsten Hillman, Former Canadian Minister Peter MacKay, former Mexican Ambassador to the United States, Geronimo Gutierrez, and Ronald Kirk, former U.S. Trade Representative.

USMCA is the largest free trade region in the world, representing a third of global GDP. In an era of intensifying geopolitical competition, especially after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the agreement takes on even more importance to foster resilient North American supply chains providing alternatives to China and ensuring the prosperity and security of the Unites States, Canada and Mexico. CSIS looks forward to hosting these important conversations.

Ryan C. Berg, Director of the Americas Program at CSIS

This type of meaningful relationship-building and strategic alignment on trade are critical to the entire North American economy. I’m pleased to collaborate with Ambassador Hillman, the U.S. Chamber and CSIS to enable these important discussions on the future of trade and economic security in our region. It’s vital that we work together to tackle barriers and to explore mutually beneficial economic growth opportunities during these increasingly challenging times.

Perrin Beatty, President and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce

For more information on the event, visit the Canadian Chamber website, here.

About the Canadian Chamber of Commerce — The Future of Business Success

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is Canada’s largest and most activated business network — representing over 400 chambers of commerce and boards of trade and more than 200,000 business of all sizes, from all sectors of the economy and from every part of the country — working to create the conditions for our collective success. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce is the undisputed champion and catalyst for the future of business success. From engaging with government on economy-friendly policy to providing services that inform commerce and enable trade, we give each of our members more of what they need to succeed: insight into markets, competitors and trends, influence over the decisions and policies that drive business success, and impact on business and economic performance. 

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Contact
Karl Oczkowski
Senior Director, Corporate Communications and PR
Canadian Chamber of Commerce
613.238.4000 (2231)
koczkowski@chamber.ca