New Hampshire leaders, including the governor, have been working to improve the state’s relationship with Canada through personal visits north of the border.They say that open communication is key, following the tariffs President Donald Trump implemented earlier this year.The New Hampshire Canadian Trade Council met Monday to discuss its recent visit to Canada and its ongoing efforts to maintain the relationship with the state’s largest trading partner.At the meeting in Quebec City, new and existing business was discussed, along with ways to strengthen the ongoing relationship.>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
New Hampshire leaders, including the governor, have been working to improve the state’s relationship with Canada through personal visits north of the border.
They say that open communication is key, following the tariffs President Donald Trump implemented earlier this year.
The New Hampshire Canadian Trade Council met Monday to discuss its recent visit to Canada and its ongoing efforts to maintain the relationship with the state’s largest trading partner.
At the meeting in Quebec City, new and existing business was discussed, along with ways to strengthen the ongoing relationship.
>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
“It’s very important for us to maintain our economic and trade relations with Canada,” said Michael Skelton, of the Business and Industry Association of New Hampshire. “Canada is our largest trading partner for the state of New Hampshire. It’s hundreds of millions of dollars of goods each year.”
The two countries’ relationship turned rocky after the Trump Administration implemented tariffs earlier this year. Then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called for a U.S. boycott as an act of protest.
While those on the council said there is a strain on the relationship, the council’s job is to make sure the lines of communication remain open.
“The relationship between Canada and New Hampshire, it goes back decades and years and years and is long going to outlive whatever the politics of today are, and it’s because of those deep, economic and cultural ties,” Skelton said.
The state is working to launch another round of its New Hampshire Export Accelerator Program, which teaches small businesses the basics of exporting and works to connect them with Canadian partners.
The program walks business owners through how to register a business, follow Canadian law, figure out accounting with different taxes and currencies, and how to protect their property.
“These are all things that we will train them with, which is why have companies that are really ready to take that leap and that are dedicated and are going to be a great fit for this program,” said Adam Boltik, of the Office of International Commerce.