Key Messages

Canada and U.S. trade is important for the U.S. and Canadian economies.

• Every day over US$2.5 billion worth of goods and services crosses the Canada-U.S. border.
• The U.S. sells more goods to Canada than to any other country. Canada buys more U.S. goods than China, Japan, and Germany combined.
• Canada is also the largest export market for 36 states, and top three for 46 states; 43 states export over US$1 billion to Canada every year.
• Any measures that disrupt integrated North American agri-food supply chains will increase of cost of food and other agricultural products on both sides of the border.

Imports from Canada feed U.S. industry, making it stronger and more competitive. 

• Roughly 70% of Canadian goods exports to the United States are used in the production of other goods.

The U.S. only has a trade deficit with Canada when you include energy exports.

• While the US had a $41 billion trade deficit with Canada last year, a third of what Canada sells into the US are energy exports where prices have been high.
• If we remove oil from the equation, the U.S. consistently runs a steady trade surplus with Canada.
• In 2023, Canadians spent on average 6 times more per person on U.S. agricultural products compared to what Americans spent on Canadian products.  
• The recent Canada-U.S. agricultural trade imbalance in Canada’s favour is due to higher import values, not increased volumes. Notably, agricultural trade includes inputs like pesticides and equipment, where the U.S. holds a trade surplus.