• Canada–U.S. trade supported 7.1 million U.S. jobs
• Total Canada–U.S. merchandise trade: $535 billion
• 141,250 Minnesota jobs are supported by Canada–U.S. trade
• Canada is Minnesota’s largest foreign export market
• Canadians made more than 573,300 visits to Minnesota, spending $187 million
• Minnesota residents made 440,100 visits to Canada, spending $215 million

A Close Relationship

The Minnesota–Canada trading relationship continued its steep ascent in 2007, as bilateral trade flows surpassed $16 billion, up almost 16% from the previous year. By far, Canada is the state’s most important foreign market, purchasing 28% of Minnesota’s foreign-bound goods. In fact, two-way trade in merchandise exceeded $44 million on a typical day.

Transportation driving the relationship

In 2007, Minnesota’s transportation sales to Canada totaled $1.2 billion, an increase of 30% from the previous year. While motor vehicles — trucks and automobiles — dominated the sales, the state also supplied its northern neighbor with parts — motor vehicle, aircraft and marine.

Energy security

Minnesota looked north to Canada to meet its energy needs in 2007. The state imported $7 billion in energy supplies, an increase of 7% from the previous year. Crude petroleum valued at $4.8 billion was the state’s leading import commodity. Shipments of natural gas and electricity followed at $1.5 billion and $534 million, respectively.

Metals matter

Minnesota supplied Canada with $685 million in metals in 2007. Named the Iron Range for the iron ore it holds, the northeastern section of the state delivered $354 million worth to its northern neighbor.

Integrated agricultural industry

Agricultural products remained a strong component of Minnesota–Canada trade and represented the state’s third largest import and export sector. Minnesota sent $681 million worth north of the border. Leading sales included oil seed & cake meal ($129 million), other cereals & cereal preparations ($121 million), and shelled corn ($98 million). Of the $633 million in state imports of Canadian agricultural imports, live animals topped the list at $160 million, followed by other unmilled cereals and wheat, at $94 million and $65 million, each.

Land of 10,000 Lakes, the Mall of America, and Lots of Canadian Shoppers

With many families and friends straddling both sides of the border, Canadians and Minnesotans routinely cross the international boundary. The strong recent Canadian dollar has made the Land of 10,000 Lakes and the Mall of America even more attractive to Canadians. In 2007, Canadians made 573,300 visits to Minnesota, contributing $187 million to the state’s economy.

Canada–Minnesota Success Stories

3M Corporation

In January 2008 Minnesota-based 3M Corporation along with The Alberta Research Council and Alberta Advanced Education and Technology, announced a joint research and collaboration partnership to develop new anti-corrosive, life-extending liners for oil pipelines. This collaboration resulted from a partnership between 3M and the Consulate General of Canada in Minneapolis to identify future development interests for 3M in Canada. Initially, more than 50 Canadian academic, business and research entities presented technology proposals to 3M. The company is still in discussions with several other potential Canadian partners.

Cross-Border Cooperation and Preparedness

For years Minnesota and Ontario have had a formal agreement to share resources along the international border to fight forest fires. The agreement is updated annually among all agencies involved. In 2007, this cross-border cooperation allowed Canadian crews to help battle the Ham Lake forest fire in Minnesota, and in turn, Americans helped to fight the fire on the Ontario side.

Building on this model of cooperation, the Consulate General of Canada (Minneapolis) in March 2008, hosted a meeting of emergency management officials from Minnesota, North Dakota and Montana, and from the neighboring Prairie provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. A direct result is the commitment by the emergency officials to increase cooperation, communication and consultation on emergency planning and preparedness efforts.

June 2008

Tourism

• 573,300 Minnesota visits by Canadians, $187 million spent
• 440,100 Minnesota visits to Canada, $215 million spent

Jobs

• Minnesota jobs supported by Canada–U.S. trade: 141,250

Merchandise Trade

• Exports to Canada: $4.8 billion
• Imports from Canada: $11.3 billion
• Bilateral trade: $16.1 billion
• Largest export market: Canada

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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.