On November 20, 2024, Jay Timmons, President of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), congratulated Pete Hoekstra on his nomination as the U.S. Ambassador to Canada [1f2a910c]. Timmons highlighted the critical role of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), noting that 94% of manufacturers view it as essential for their supply chains [1f2a910c]. This sentiment underscores the importance of maintaining strong trade relations between the U.S. and Canada, particularly in the manufacturing sector, which employs nearly 13 million people and contributes $2.91 trillion to the U.S. economy annually [1f2a910c].
The announcement comes on the heels of the North American Manufacturing Conference held in Ottawa, where industry leaders gathered to discuss strategies for strengthening manufacturing ties across North America [1f2a910c]. In 2023, NAM collaborated with Canadian and Mexican manufacturing associations to further enhance the manufacturing agenda, reflecting a commitment to fostering robust economic partnerships [1f2a910c].
In a related context, Keitha Robson, Chief Administrative Officer of the Timmins Chamber of Commerce, has invited Kirsten Hillman, Canada’s ambassador to the United States, to address the ACCE board meeting on October 24, 2024, in Arlington, Virginia [8d5e189d]. This initiative aims to educate American business leaders about the significant Canada-U.S. trade relationship, which accounts for $3.6 billion in daily trade [8d5e189d]. Robson, who was elected to the ACCE board in July 2024, remains optimistic about Canada retaining its trading advantages despite potential tariffs from President-elect Donald Trump [8d5e189d].
The ACCE represents over 9,000 leaders from 1,300 chambers of commerce, highlighting the importance of this dialogue in fostering bilateral economic relations [8d5e189d]. Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador Victoria Kennedy is set to lead an Austrian delegation to the 10th SelectUSA Investment Summit in Maryland, further emphasizing the commitment to enhancing economic cooperation [19dfea9d]. This summit will address critical topics such as advanced battery technologies and clean energy, reinforcing the narrative of international trade dynamics [19dfea9d].