Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Hello, everyone.
We really appreciate this invitation to appear before the committee as you begin this timely and important study. The U.S. relationship is obviously critical for Canada. On the economic side, trade in goods and services with the U.S. is equal to 44% of Canadian GDP. Seventy-two per cent of Canada's exports of goods and services go to the United states. That figure is always over 70%.
The relationship is equally important or is very important for Americans as well. Thirty-two states have Canada as their largest international export destination, and nine million jobs are linked to trade with Canada.