Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay has wrapped up a successful visit to the United States, making stops in Arlington, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
MacAulay took part at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s 95th Annual Agricultural Outlook Forum along with Mexican Secretary of Agriculture Victor Villalobos, in a trilateral panel discussion hosted by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. It was the first time the three had met since the signing of the USMCA.
"Our Government is committed to continue working with the United States and Mexico to strengthen our North American relationship for the good of our farmers, our rural communities and our economies," said MacAulay. "Free, fair and balanced trade is — and should continue to be — the engine of growth and prosperity for our three countries."
The importance of trade in supporting farm income and rural communities in all three countries was discussed. MacAulay also hosted roundtables with key U.S. stakeholders on the agricultural trading relationship between Canada and the United States as well as the role of women in advancing opportunities in the agricultural and trade sectors.
Other topics discussed included African swine fever and the removal of U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum.
Canada and the U.S. are each other's largest trading partners for agriculture, with bilateral trade in agriculture and food products reaching US$48.5 billion in 2017 and US$46.0 billion in January to November 2018.
Source : Steinbachonline