The Embassy of Canada in Washington, D.C. hosted a dinner for the AEM Board of Directors. Ambassador Kirsten Hillman, Canada’s Ambassador to the United States, kicked off the dinner with remarks highlighting the deeply integrated nature of the Canada-U.S. economic relationship.
“The reality is that Canada and the U.S. are not just neighbors, we are partners. We work together. We trade with one another. We build things together. Our economies – our supply chains – are so deeply intertwined that uncoupling our economies will diminish our prosperity and competitiveness. And so, we are working very hard to have constructive discussions with the administration on the value of the Canada-U.S. partnership and the benefits it brings to the U.S. economy.”
AEM Board Chair Linda Hasenfratz spoke to the room of diplomats and executives stressing the importance of U.S. and Canadian collaboration.
“It is crucial, more now than ever, that we continue to work together to ensure that the U.S.- Canada trade relationship remains strong and beneficial for all. Greater collaboration and open dialogue between industry and government are key to overcoming the challenges we face.
There is a famous quote that says, ‘Geography has made us neighbors, history has made us friends, economics has made us partners, and necessity has made us allies. Those whom nature hath so joined together, let no man put asunder.’
AEM President and CEO Megan Tanel continued the remarks by highlighting the equipment manufacturing industry’s role in promoting cross-border trade and investment.
“Our industry believes that unimpeded trade is crucial to economic prosperity across North America. Manufacturers, suppliers, our customers, and ultimately the communities we so proudly serve all benefit when integration and mutual respect are at the heart of our economic relationship.
AEM and our member companies are actively advocating against the erosion of North American trade in Washington, D.C. and in Ottawa. I highly encourage everyone here tonight to join in on this effort. By working together, we can safeguard the future of our industry and the well-being of our local communities.”
Equipment Manufacturers’ Economic Impact in Canada
As a North American trade association, AEM represents over 100 member companies in Canada, ranging from OEMs to parts and service providers. The equipment manufacturing industry has a strong presence in Canada, supporting 152,000 jobs and contributing roughly $41 billion to the economy each year.
Importantly, Canada is the largest export market for U.S. agricultural equipment, with 30 percent of equipment made in the United States heading to customers north of the border. Canadian equipment manufacturers also export $48 billion worth of equipment each year.
Upcoming Events in Canada
As one of AEM’s strategic priorities for 2025-2027, AEM is continuing to expand its advocacy efforts in Canada. Upcoming advocacy events include:
- AEM Regional Meeting, CM Labs, Montreal (June 18)
- AEM Summer Board Meeting, Toronto (July 30-31)
- Agriculture Equipment Demo Day, Ottawa (August 20)
- AEM Regional Meeting, Ritchie Brothers, Vancouver (September 9)
- AEM Hill Day, Ottawa (October 20-21)
To get involved in AEM’s advocacy efforts, please reach out to the AEM Advocacy Team.
