Madam Speaker, before I begin, will say that I would like to split my time with the member for Brampton East.
I am really pleased to rise and to speak to tonight's very important debate. Canada and the United States have one of the strongest and closest relationships in the world, particularly when it comes to trade and to our shared border and border security. Canada places the highest priority on border security and on the integrity of our shared border.
Yesterday evening, the Prime Minister spoke with President-elect Donald Trump. He had the opportunity to point out that the economic relationship between Canada and the United States is balanced and mutually beneficial, particularly for American workers. The fact is that we need them and they also need us.
Canada is the largest export market for the United States in the world. It is larger than China, Japan, the United Kingdom and France combined. It is also the case that the things we sell to the United States are the things it really needs. We sell the United States oil, electricity and critical minerals and metals.
Canada is essential to the United States' domestic energy supply. Last year, 60% of U.S. crude oil imports originated in Canada, and the energy the United States imports from Canada is more important today than ever, at a time when we see how hungry AI is for energy and how important AI is in the economic vision of the new U.S. administration. Canada's critical minerals and metals are absolutely essential as well, as we in North America seek to develop supply chains which are resilient and secure, and critically, supply chains that do not make us dependent on China.
Our government is committed to a team Canada approach. Tomorrow the Prime Minister will be meeting with the first ministers of provinces and territories. We have been working and will continue to work with business and labour leaders from coast to coast to coast.
Specifically, in the days since the U.S. election, I have met with labour leaders, leaders from the steel industry, leaders from the car sector, leaders of Canada's major pension funds, leaders from the oil and gas sector, leaders from the nuclear sector, leaders from the aluminum sector, leaders from the electricity sector, leaders of our major banks, Canada's AI leaders, and Canada's leading innovators. This is team Canada.
Yesterday, we held the fourth meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Canada-U.S. relations, which I chair. Much of our work has focused and continues to focus on the border and trade relations between our two countries.
When it comes to the border, let me be clear both to Canadians and to our American neighbours: Law enforcement agencies from our two countries, the RCMP, the Canada Border Services Agency, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, work together every single day to disrupt the scourge of fentanyl coming from China and other countries. In addition, the CBSA is continuously strengthening its ability to detect opioids through enhanced inspections at ports of entry, with detector dogs and emerging technologies.
Canada and Canadians have the right and the need to have total control over who enters our country. Our American neighbours likewise have the right and the need to totally control who enters their country. Canada is absolutely committed to working with our American neighbours to ensure that their northern border is fully secure, even as we work to ensure that our southern border is fully secure.
Of course, we are going to continue to discuss these issues with the new administration.
This is a moment when Canada needs to be united. We need to be strong. We need to be smart. We all know that we face significant challenges. We also know that there are real opportunities. We know that by working together, by playing as a united team Canada, Canada can and will be successful.