• Canada–U.S. trade supported 7.1 million U.S. jobs
• Total Canada–U.S. merchandise trade: $535 billion
• 102,000 Louisiana jobs are supported by Canada–U.S. trade
• Canadians made more than 80,500 visits to Louisiana, spending $46 million
• Louisiana residents made 51,100 visits to Canada, spending $38 million

A Close Relationship

The Louisiana–Canada trade relationship continued to flourish in 2007, with the state exporting $1.7 billion in merchandise to its northern NAFTA partner and importing $1.2 billion worth. Canada remains an important market for the state, ranking as one of Louisiana’s top four international destionations for the last decade.

Chemically bonded trade partners

Once again, chemical sales valued at $717 million constituted the state’s most profitable export sector. Louisiana chemical manufacturers supplied its northern neighbor with unshaped plastics, organic and inorganic chemicals and synthetic and reclaimed rubber. The Pelican State also purchased Canadian-made products — $214 million worth — including synthetic rubber and plastics, organic chemicals and basic plastic shapes and forms.

Keep on truckin’

The Pelican State enjoyed a trade surplus from its transportation sector as exports to Canada totaling $339 million dominated imports. State shipments included trucks, automobiles and motor vehicle parts (except engines). Canadian transportation producers contributed to the state’s “just in time inventories” with shipments of motor vehicle parts (except engines), aircraft engines and parts and other transportation goods, amassing $93 million in sales.

Re-energized

Energy shipments flowed in both directions. The Pelican State exported $278 million worth to Canada in 2007. Coke of petroleum and coal, and crude petroleum — leading commodities sent northbound — amounted to $80 million and $73 million respectively. The state also relied on Canadian energy — $162 million worth — with significant purchases of petroleum and coal products.

All that the Bayou State has to offer

The Pelican State is noted for its Mardi Gras festival, Cajun gumbos, crayfish and beignets, New Orleans’ jazz and historic sites. In 2007, Canadians fascinated with Acadian-Cajun culture made 80,500 visits and spent $46 million taking in the Bayou State. Residents of Louisiana, in turn, made 51,100 visits to Canada, spending $38 million.

Canada–Louisiana Success Stories

CN Intermodal, a business unit of Canadian National Railways or CNR, is one of the most important players in the North American transportation sector. With mainline track connecting directly into the Port of New Orleans via the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad, CN is a major stakeholder in the future success of the Port and has plans to make a substantial investment in support of the refurbishing and modernizing of the New Orleans Intermodal Terminal. CN was active in New Orleans prior to Hurricane Katrina and chose to remain in business post Katrina rather than close down their operations. In the six months following the storm, CN Intermodal undertook a concerted marketing effort that resulted in sales returning to pre-Katrina levels, thereby preserving jobs and supporting the recovery of Southern Louisiana. CN Intermodal continues to assist the Louisiana economy by offering highly competitive rail transport capacity both domestically and to Canada, the USA’s largest export market. With the recent strength of the Canadian dollar, Canada has become even more attractive as a market for American companies.

June 2008

Tourism

• 80,500 Louisiana visits by Canadians, $46 million spent
• 51,100 Louisiana visits to Canada, $38 million spent

Jobs

• Louisiana jobs supported by Canada–U.S. trade: 102,000

Merchandise Trade

• Exports to Canada: $1.7 billion
• Imports from Canada: $1.2 billion
• Bilateral trade: $2.9 billion

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Merchandise trade and tourism figures are from Statistics Canada, converted at the rate of US$1.00=C$1.0749. Merchandise trade is based on total exports and imports for the year 2007. Job numbers are based on 2005 data from a 2006 study commissioned by the Canadian Embassy. Canada’s export ranking is from the World Institute for Strategic Economic Research (WISER). All figures are in U.S. dollars. Figures may not add up due to rounding.