John F. Kennedy famously said, "Geography has made us neighbors. History has made us friends. Economics has made us partners." This Canada-U.S. relationship we have known and cherished for decades creates stability and mutual prosperity.

We share the world's largest trading relationship, an integrated electricity grid and airspace defense (NORAD). Roughly 73% of Canadian exports flow to the U.S., and nearly half of our imports come from the U.S. Interdependent supply chains and border operations are tied to millions of jobs on both sides. Working together, we each benefited.

Like many neighbours, a historical look back will show recent tensions aren't all that new. In the 1930s and again in 1970, there were conflicts about import surcharges and access to markets. Then, as now, Canada looked to diversify trade to reduce vulnerability.

What feels different this time are the trade partners we are now pursuing.

In the past, we pursued trade with European partners, but today Canada is exploring relations with countries that are far less transparent.