• Canada–U.S. trade supported 7.1 million U.S. jobs
• Total Canada–U.S. merchandise trade: $535 billion
• 146,00 Tennessee jobs are supported by Canada–U.S. trade
• Canada is Tennessee’s largest foreign export market
• Canadians made more than 355,500 visits to Tennessee, spending $82 million
• Tennessee residents made 80,000 visits to Canada, spending $58 million

A Close Relationship

Tennessee and Canada maintained their close economic relationship in 2007 as two-way trade reached $40 million on an average day. The state imported goods worth $9.4 billion from Canada, and exported $5.1 billion worth. Canada was the state’s most valuable trading partner, purchasing more of Tennessee’s worldwide goods than its next five trading partners — Mexico, China, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Germany — combined.

Transportation drives the relationship

Trade in transportation products was among the most important sectors between Canada and Tennessee, totaling nearly $2.7 billion. The transportation sector constituted Tennessee’s largest body of exports to Canada at over $1.8 billion in sales, led by $793 million in motor vehicle parts excluding engines, and $675 million in automobiles and trucks. The Volunteer State enjoyed a significant trade surplus from the transportation sector, approaching $1 billion.

Getting personal

In 2007, the partners traded $1.4 billion in personal and household goods. Tennessee imported $865 million in Canadian medicine, printed matter, televisions, radios and personal electronics, and more. During the same period, the state supplied its northern partner with $539 million worth, primarily in medical, ophthalmic and orthopaedic supplies, newspapers and magazines, and furniture and fixtures.

Equipping the partners

Canada and Tennessee traded $1.2 billion worth of equipment in 2007. Once again the state enjoyed a trade surplus totaling $319 million from equipment exchanges.  High on the list of Tennessee’s equipment exports to their northern neighbor were measuring and controlling instruments, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment, and miscellaneous equipment and tools.

High energy

As in previous years, Canada proved to be a safe and secure source of energy, supplying the state with $3 billion worth.  Nearly all of this was natural gas, the state’s number one import commodity, which accounted for almost one-third of Canada’s total exports to Tennessee.

Staying in touch

Tennessee exported some $488 million in computers, telephone and telegraph equipment, and other telecommunications equipment to Canada and in turn bought $64 million worth, bringing the volume of two-way trade from this sector to $552 million.

Canadians enjoy warm hospitality and Tennesseans cool off

In 2007, Canadians made 355,500 visits to Tennessee and spent some $82 million enjoying the Volunteer State’s legendary hospitality. Tennesseans reciprocated by making 80,000 visits north of the border, contributing $58 million to the Canadian economy.

Canada–Tennessee Success Stories

Internationally renowned Ottawa-based architect Douglas J. Cardinal has been commissioned to create a new $100 million museum complex in Union City in northwest Tennessee. The 50-acre Discovery Park complex will include outdoor gardens, a visitor’s centre and a signature building that will house a museum. The complex will be designed to lure visitors off the future Interstate 69 to the town of Union City.

Ontario-based Hamilton Kent, a leading manufacturer of resilient rubber gaskets and connectors for pipe and structures, has located a manufacturing facility in Franklin County, Tennessee. The company will invest approximately $5 million and employ up to 60 people over the next three years.

Tennessee is one of six states to partner with seven Canadian provinces in forming the Southeastern United States - Canadian Provinces Alliance, a public-private organization formed in 2007 to enhance and further economic development between the two regions.

June 2008

Tourism

• 355,500 Tennessee visits by Canadians, $82 million spent
• 80,000 Tennessee visits to Canada, $58 million spent

Jobs

• Tennessee jobs supported by Canada–U.S. trade: 146,600

Merchandise Trade

• Exports to Canada: $5.1 billion
• Imports from Canada: $9.4 billion
• Bilateral trade: $14.6 billion
• Largest export market: Canada

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Tennessee

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.