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CORNER BROOK, N.L. — Atlantic Canada’s premiers say they are focused on strengthening trade ties with the United States as Canada looks to establish its economic footing with President Donald Trump’s administration.
The premiers emerged from a two-day meeting in Corner Brook, N.L., on Feb. 20 pledging vigilance with the region’s largest trading partner, and acknowledging the need to promote their interests.
"We will be participating, as an example, in the softwood lumber negotiations in Washington later this spring," said host Dwight Ball, the Newfoundland and Labrador premier. "It is important for us to be able to do that."
Although no formal lobby program was announced, New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant said the four provinces plan to sell U.S. businesses on the importance of the trading relationship with Canada.
"We are going to do everything we can in our capacity to ensure that message gets out there consistently and aggressively," said Gallant.
The premiers said trade would also be a key theme when they meet with their New England counterparts in Charlottetown in August.
Prince Edward Island Premier Wade MacLauchlan said that for the first time the annual conference of New England governors and Eastern Canadian premiers would include a forum to bring together business interests from both sides of the border to discuss trade and commercial issues.
"I believe our firms in Atlantic Canada have done an excellent job of putting us on the map, of building those relationships," he said. "Anything we can do to encourage…those efforts and relationships — that’s what’s really going to determine our trade success.”
Recently the Canadian government has made it clear it will seek greater certainty around softwood lumber in upcoming trade negotiations, along with more access to public construction projects in the U.S. and beefed up worker-mobility rights.
The premiers said they took part in two teleconferences with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on trade issues since Trump’s inauguration last month.
Gallant said they are "cautiously optimistic" that the trading relationship would remain "robust," and that it might even improve. He cited the positive tone of the recent meeting between Trump and Trudeau as proof that Canada’s message is getting through.
"We also see many allies in other elected officials," Gallant said. "We have spoken to many governors about the importance of trade between our two countries and they get it."
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