Premiers who share a border with Minnesota say Tim Walz understands the importance of cultural and trade ties between America and Canada, after the governor was chosen as U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate on the Democratic presidential ticket.
“I was thrilled as hell,” Ontario Premier Doug Ford said of Walz’s candidacy at a news conference in Mississauga on Wednesday.
Tim Walz made his debut with Mme Harris at a spirited rally Tuesday night in Philadelphia, kicking off their tour of the state.
The premier’s comments come just two months after they met in Ford’s office in the Ontario legislature. Ford said they discussed how to strengthen economic ties between Ontario and Minnesota, including the agriculture and energy sectors.
Mr. Walz is known for his “Minnesota guy” demeanor, and leaders north of the 49th parallel hope his collaboration with Canada will continue if Democrats return to the White House.
“We had a lot in common when we sat down,” Ford said, adding that he and Walz — who used to coach high school football — also threw a football around his office. Ford then presented Walz with a Canadian Football League football.
Ontario and Minnesota have $7.6 billion in bilateral trade, the Ontario premier said.
Links with Manitoba
Minnesota shares an 885-kilometer border with Canada, extending through Ontario and Manitoba.
“I think it would be good for Manitoba if someone in the White House could not only put our province on a map, but also be someone who knows our hydroelectricity and our (agricultural) industry,” Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said Wednesday.
“That’s what Governor Walz could bring,” he added.
Mr. Kinew did not exchange a football with Mr. Walz, but reported that there are strong cultural and economic ties between Manitoba and Minnesota.
Manitobans travel to Minnesota for sporting events, shopping and vacations. There are also significant trade relationships in manufacturing, agriculture and energy.
Relationships to maintain
Whichever party wins the election will be in power during a looming review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement in 2026, the first since former President Donald Trump pushed to renegotiate the old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
In preparation for the trade talks, Manitoba’s NDP government has reached out to members of both parties, including North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who is rumoured to be a likely member of Mr. Trump’s cabinet if he returns to the White House.
North Dakota also shares a long border with Manitoba and Burgum has important insight into Canada-U.S. relations, Kinew said.
“Regardless of how the American public decides to vote, we’re going to work very hard to identify key allies who know Manitoba well,” Kinew added.
Wave of enthusiasm
The new Democratic ticket has generated a wave of enthusiasm since Joe Biden withdrew from the nomination over concerns about his age to support Mme Harris.
Mr. Walz spoke to thousands of people about the importance of “community” at an outdoor rally he headlined with Mr.me Harris on Wednesday in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
The newly formed Democratic team is definitely adopting a more positive tone, Mme Harris called herself and Mr. Walz “joyful warriors” as they began the sprint toward the November election.
“This idea of caring for a neighbor, of kindness, of a helping hand when someone needs it,” Walz illustrated to the crowd as one fan appeared to receive assistance after struggling in the direct summer sun. “That’s who we are.”
With information from the Associated Press