LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Gov. Pete Ricketts plans to lead a trade delegation to Canada in August to promote business relationships with Nebraska, officials announced Tuesday.
Ricketts unveiled the trade mission with state agriculture and economic development officials. He also encouraged agricultural and business leaders to consider joining the trip.
Roughly one-fifth of Nebraska’s exports go to Canada, totaling $8.5 billion a year. The country is Nebraska’s largest export market and fourth-largest agricultural export market.
“They’re our best customer, and you always want to make sure you take care of your best customer,” Ricketts said at a news conference.
The trip from Aug. 7-11 comes at an uncertain time for the North American Free Trade Agreement among the U.S., Mexico and Canada. The Trump administration has said it wants to rework the agreement.
Ricketts said he wants to hear any concerns Canadian officials might have. He said he supports updating parts of NAFTA that are outdated but stressed the need to preserve components that benefit agriculture, the state’s largest industry.
“Frankly, from the standpoint of Nebraska, I don’t have a lot of producers coming up to me and saying we need major changes,” he said.
Nebraska Department of Agriculture Director Greg Ibach said officials plan to meet with companies that already do business with Nebraska and those interested in starting a relationship. The trade mission will give farm and ranch business leaders the chance to meet and talk with Canadian customers, he said.
The delegation may also meet with Canadian prime ministers and representatives of the Canadian Cattlemen Association and the Canadian Pork Council.
Canada is often the first foreign marketplace for Nebraska companies that are looking to expand, said Courtney Dentlinger, director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. Dozens of businesses also provide jobs in Nebraska, she said.
“It’s hard to overstate the importance of Canada to Nebraska’s export market,” Dentlinger said.
Ricketts said he doesn’t plan to raise the issue of the Keystone XL pipeline, the proposed Canada-to-Texas pipeline that would transport crude oil through Nebraska if completed. The Trump administration has granted a presidential permit for the project to move forward, but the $8 billion pipeline remains in limbo in Nebraska while the state’s Public Service Commission reviews its proposed route.
Ricketts also plans to visit Japan in September on a trade mission that will include the Midwest U.S.-Japan Association’s annual conference.
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