Central ND News

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, co-chair of the Canada-United States Interparliamentary Group and the Senate American Canadian Economy and Security (ACES) Caucus, led a bipartisan delegation to Ottawa this week. The visit aimed to strengthen ties between the United States and Canada, two countries with a significant bilateral trading relationship.

During their time in Ottawa, the delegation met with several key figures including Prime Minister Mark Carney, Foreign Minister Anita Anand, U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra, and Canada's Minister of Industry Mélanie Joly. Discussions focused on mutual priorities such as defense cooperation through NATO, Arctic readiness, economic integration, trade disruptions, and global challenges.

Senator Cramer remarked on the shared interests between the nations: “The United States and Canada share more than a border,” he said. “From national security to commerce, we have both interests and challenges in common, working through them with open, frank dialogue.”

A significant portion of North Dakota's exports go to Canada—70% in 2024 alone—highlighting the importance of fair trade discussions during Cramer's visit. He emphasized finding solutions that benefit both nations amidst declining trade and tourism in northern border states.

The delegation also addressed defense spending commitments within NATO. In 2014, member states agreed to allocate 2% of their GDP to defense spending; however, Canada only allocated 1.37% in 2024. This prompted Cramer and his colleagues to urge then-Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to review whether NATO members meet this target when considering U.S. investments.

In addition to government meetings, Cramer participated in a roundtable with business leaders from organizations like the Business Council of Canada and American Chamber of Commerce.

Cramer's recent appointment as co-chair of the Canada-United States Interparliamentary Group follows his introduction of a bipartisan resolution with ACES co-chair U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME). The resolution highlights shared interests in economic matters, energy resources including critical minerals, and national security while reaffirming democratic values and human rights commitments.