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OTTAWA, CANADA – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), co-chair of the Canada-United States Interparliamentary Group and the Senate American Canadian Economy and Security (ACES) Caucus, joined a bipartisan group of senators in traveling to Ottawa this week to reaffirm and strengthen the partnership between the two countries. Canada and the United States share a unique relationship. The two countries have fostered one of the most significant bilateral trading relationships in the world, one characterized by their close economic and national security ties.
The delegation met with Prime Minister Mark Carney, Foreign Minister Anita Anand, U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra, Canada’s Minister of Industry Mélanie Joly, and representatives from industry and business groups. The overarching theme of the trip centered on advancing mutual priorities such as defense and security cooperation through the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Arctic readiness, cross-border economic integration, addressing trade disruptions, and coordinated responses to global challenges.
“The United States and Canada share more than a border,” said Cramer.“From national security to commerce, we have both interests and challenges in common, working through them with open, frank dialogue. It was an honor to join my colleagues as part of this delegation to Ottawa. I was encouraged by the meetings, and the Prime Minister’s transparent and thoughtful words were smart and instructive. I look forward to working with our friends, business partners, and neighbors in Canada to strengthen our relationship and address mutual issues facing our great countries.”
While in Ottawa, Cramer visited with Ambassador Hoekstra about establishing a relationship focused on fostering fair trade. More than half of North Dakota’s exports are directed toward Canada. In 2024 alone, North Dakota exported $3.9 billion in goods to Canada, representing 70% of the state’s global exports. As former State Tourism and Economic Development Director in North Dakota, Cramer brought that perspective to additional discussions about the declines northern border states are experiencing in trade and tourism and emphasized the need to find a solution benefitting both nations.
The visit included a lunch with Canadian Foreign Minister Anand and a meeting with Canada’s Minister of Industry Mélanie Joly. Discussions included updates on further safeguards for the military readiness of NATO, and a review of the member states agreement in 2014 to commit two percent of their national gross domestic product (GDP) to defense spending. However, Canada only allocated 1.37% of its GDP to defense in 2024, prompting Cramer and his colleagues to send a letter to then-Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, asking him to examine whether a member of the NATO “has achieved defense spending of not less than 2 percent of its gross domestic product” when considering U.S. investments.
In addition to meeting with government officials, Cramer and colleagues participated in a roundtable with the Business Council of Canada, American Chamber of Commerce, and other leading Canadian companies.
Cramer was recently appointed co-chair of the Canada-United States Interparliamentary Group and introduced a bipartisan resolution with fellow ACES co-chair U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME). The resolution recognizes the U.S.-Canada partnership and its shared interests in economic, energy and critical minerals, and national security. Among other provisions, it reaffirms the bilateral and international alliance between the two countries, which allows both countries to face common threats together and uphold common values, including democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.