On behalf of Maple Business Council and the rest of the local business community welcome to Vancouver! My first question would be what are your initial impressions of Vancouver and BC?
Vancouver is a beautiful place to live. My wife, Saskia, and I are thrilled to be here. We feel fortunate to be here in these challenging times. The people of British Columbia have done an outstanding job rising to the COVID challenge.
It is still very early in my tour, but it’s already very clear to me that this is a dynamic region where the private sector, government, and academia are collaborating on cutting-edge solutions to some of society’s biggest challenges. There is an innovative and creative spirit here that sets it apart from other regions – a spirit that parallels the dynamism of California, Oregon, and Washington State. I am also fortunate to have Yukon in my area of responsibility, and I’m looking forward to traveling north and learning more about this unique region and its people as soon as conditions permit.
Here in British Columbia, I’m quickly learning about the interconnectedness of the region and how seamlessly communities and businesses share similar priorities and the same values, from Vancouver all the way down to southern California. Businesses and government are pushing the boundaries in seeking innovative solutions to some of our greatest challenges in various sectors, from health sciences and cleantech, to cross-border transportation, infrastructure, and the environment.
I have had very productive meetings so far with a wide range of people in government and in the private sector, and I am looking forward to meeting many more people from all walks of life in the coming weeks and months.
For those who may not be familiar, what is the primary role of the U.S. Consulate General in Vancouver? How do you work in coordination with the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa as well as the U.S. Department of Commerce?
Consulate General Vancouver is one of seven consulates in the U.S. Mission to Canada. All of our consulates work to build closer ties between the United States and Canada; strengthen trade and commercial ties; facilitate cross-border travel and exchanges; and ensure the safety and security of our citizens from global and domestic threats, among many other things.
A core priority here is to strengthen trade and commercial ties. Fortunately, we are building on a very formidable foundation. But I believe there are many new opportunities for U.S. companies to do business in British Columbia and Yukon, and for Canadian companies to expand their trade and investment into the United States as well. To strengthen those ties, we count on a range of cross-border partnerships in the private sector such as the Maple Business Council, and we welcome your feedback on both challenges and opportunities facing your businesses.
At the Consulate in Vancouver, we work closely with our colleagues from the Department of Commerce, who can provide a specialized set of services to American businesses looking to export into Canada -- and to Canadian companies looking to invest in the United States. SelectUSA, for example, is a flagship program that offers some of these services and is oriented toward businesses that seek to expand into the U.S. market, but perhaps may not know where to begin. Some in BC may have attended or heard about our annual SelectUSA Investment summit in Washington, D.C., to which interested businesses from Canada and the rest of the world travel to meet with senior U.S. officials, economic-development corporations from all 50 U.S. states, and a range of others to explore investment opportunities. It’s a one-stop shop for businesses eyeing expansion in the United States, and many BC businesses that have attended in recent years have not only found it useful in making new connections, but have also gone on to invest in the United States after connecting with new partners. I’d be happy to connect you with our Commerce colleagues if anyone is interested.
What Consulate General activities and initiatives are you most looking forward to renewing as our region comes out of the lockdown?
Once conditions and BC health guidance permit, I am looking forward to resuming face-to-face meetings – the bread and butter of diplomacy. I’m also looking forward to exploring all that British Columbia and Yukon have to offer in what is an extraordinarily beautiful part of the world. In the meantime, thanks to the remarkable advances in technology that have allowed us to work remotely and stay in touch from a distance, we will continue to use our good offices to host virtual events and receptions to bring businesses on both sides of the border together. If you have ideas on events that would be of use, please let us know.
With the recent coming-into-force of the USMCA trade agreement, there are many benefits for businesses in both Canada and the United States to compete more effectively in cross-border trade. What business opportunities do you see having the most potential as a result of the revised NAFTA agreement?
As you all know, USMCA went into effect on July 1, initiating a new chapter in North American trade that will serve as a model for the United States and others around the world. USMCA sets new and higher standards for labor, the environment, digital trade, and more. It will also create high-paying jobs for Americans, Canadians, and Mexicans, and raise economic prosperity for years to come. And most important of all – and I want to underscore this point – USMCA will ensure that North America will remain the world’s economic powerhouse.
Competition defines trade terms, and sometimes this competition is fierce. We all need to remain vigilant in our drive to remain competitive as a region on the global stage. USMCA does just that for the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
How would you characterize the Consulate General’s relationship with the BC business community? How do you see this relationship evolving and strengthening going forward?
This is a vital link and, as I said, expanding cross-border trade and investment linkages is a top priority for us. We see our relationship with the BC business community as a partnership. Part of our job is to listen to you – both about your challenges as well as about shared opportunities. If there are challenges we can help overcome – we’re here to help. If there are opportunities that we can help you capitalize on – we’re also here to help, particularly for BC firms looking to expand into the United States.
We are always willing and ready to convene business, government leaders, and others to promote cross-border trade and investment, particularly in the realms of tech, cleantech, mining, and telemedicine.
Going forward, I hope that we continue to work closely together to keep North America the powerful trading hub that it is. Only by working together can we continue to ensure economic prosperity and security for the people of the United States and Canada.
What should BC area executives know about doing business in the United States, and perhaps with our focus region California, that they might not already be aware of?
Most of you already know that California is the fifth-largest economy in the world by GDP and home to over 500 Canadian-owned companies. But what we want you to know is that we want you doing business in the United States and that we’re here to help. Although the United States and Canada share many similarities, there are also sometimes unanticipated differences. I’ve heard that some Canadian businesses are sometime caught off guard with these unexpected challenges – whether related to taxation or industry regulations -- when exploring opportunities in the United States. This brings me back to our friends at the Department of Commerce. They can help navigate such challenges and provide insight into industry and markets in all parts of the United States.
The bottom line here is: the opportunities to expand your operations in the United States, whether in California or any of our other states, are significant, and we encourage you to take your innovative ideas and solutions south of the border.
At the end of your tenure in Vancouver what would “good” look like in your mind?
Well, we hope to do better than “good”! But I hope that we will be able to contribute to strengthening cross-border trade and commercial ties and deepening the full range of personal and professional links between our countries and our people. I hope that we will see even more Canadian companies from BC and Yukon invest in the United States. I also hope that our trade and investment on both sides of the border will help spark economic recoveries in BC, Yukon and in the United States.
Most importantly, I hope to be able to contribute to deepening the unique, long-lasting, and enduring friendship between our two countries.
In my 33 years in the United States Foreign Service, I have gained a profound appreciation for the importance and mutual value of alliances. Canada has long been and remains one of our most important allies and friends. If our team at the Consulate General contributes to reinforcing and invigorating this alliance and strengthening our partnership and friendship along the way, I would call that a job well done. Thank you!
For more information on the Consulate General of the United States in Vancouver, British Columbia, please visit their website: https://ca.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/vancouver/