Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced plans to travel to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on May 21, 2024, to attend the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Quadrennial North American Convention. The visit aims to bolster the Canada-U.S. relationship, particularly in cross-border trade.
Trudeau, invited by SEIU to address the convention, will focus on efforts to create middle-class jobs, enhance healthcare, and promote fairness. He will also emphasize the longstanding partnership between Canada and the U.S., noting the significant role of organized labor in this relationship.
During his stay in Pennsylvania, Trudeau is scheduled to meet with U.S. business leaders to explore opportunities for commercial, investment, and trade collaboration. Pennsylvania, a key trading partner for Canada, exported $14.3 billion worth of merchandise to Canada in 2023, surpassing its combined exports to its next four largest foreign markets. Canadian exports to Pennsylvania totaled $13.6 billion the same year, with Canadian-owned companies employing over 25,000 workers in the state.
Trudeau highlighted the benefits of the strong trade relationship, stating, “Canada and the United States are the closest of friends. Together, we’re creating good-paying jobs, building opportunities for our workers, taking climate action, and growing our economies. This trip will be another opportunity for Team Canada to deepen the partnership with our American friends – and make life better and fairer for Canadians and Americans alike.”
The SEIU represents approximately 2 million members, including about 60,000 healthcare workers in Ontario. The Canada-U.S. trade relationship, one of the largest globally, involves over $1.3 trillion in goods and services annually. The bilateral trade supports millions of jobs and relies on integrated supply chains, with 79% of Canadian goods exported to the U.S. incorporated into U.S. supply chains.
Pennsylvania’s economy benefits significantly from Canadian imports of crude oil, wood pulp, lumber, and various metals. In 2023, Canadian-owned companies employed 27,800 workers in the state. Overall, more than 2.2 million jobs in Canada depend on exports to the U.S., while over 7.8 million U.S. jobs are tied to trade with Canada. The Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), in effect since July 2020, has further strengthened North American supply chains and regional competitiveness.