Manitoba's Health Minister says, as part of the Mid-West Legislative Conference, he and his colleagues on both sides of the border are hoping trade will remain strong under new U.S. President Donald Trump. The conference is comprised of elected leaders from eleven U.S. states and four Canadian provinces. Kelvin Goertzen says the group is very much pro-trade across the various borders and he hopes that won't be stifled by the new President who spoke loudly about renegotiating trade deals like the North American Free Trade Agreement.

 

"I think there's sort of a wait and see approach. Obviously, some of the things that were said during the campaign were concerning on all sides. There was a tone of the campaign, which I

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Steinbach MLA and Health Minister Kelvin Goertzendon't think is always good in politics and reflective of what Canadians want to see. In terms of policy, of course, there was some discussion about trade and I know that President-elect Trump has talked about renegotiating trade agreements. My hope is that he will see in his advisors and, of course, who he appoints as advisors is key, will see the importance of trade."

 

Goertzen says there is a great recognition among Premiers, MLAs, Governors, Senators and Congressmen about the importance of trade between the U.S. and Canada and they want it to grow. He adds Manitoba is big on trade.

 

"We, as a new province and a new government, have indicated that we are a trading province. We believe in trade. We know there's an awful lot of trade happening across our border within those Midwestern States. Minnesota and Wisconsin, in particular, are huge trading partners for us. So, when I have discussions with those in the States at the Congressional and the Senate level and also in Washington, I always hear the message they feel trade is important. Certainly, my hope is that President-elect Trump, when he appoints his team, will see that as well."