b'CONNECTINGCanadian Trade PartnershipCanada is proud to be the Prairiethen sells Canada and other coun-States #1 customer and tradingtries the finished fuel that we lack the partner, with an annual two-waycapacity to refine ourselves. Nowhere trade relationship worth more thanis this crucial energy partnership $83 billion. And were grateful formore evident than here in Illinois, the partnerships between Illinois andwhere Canadian crude supplies the Canadian businesses that have helpedbulk of the feedstock for the states grow that trade roughly 40% sincefour refineries.2021. Electricity is cheaper in Canada, But now this historic prosperityparticularly due to our hydroelectric is at risk, for businesses and com- resources. That makes electricity-in-munities throughout Illinois. Sincetensive manufacturing like steel and March 3, the U.S. Administrationaluminum cheaper, too. We all want has threatened and imposed anto restore North American industrial escalating series of tariffs againstcompetitiveness, but well never get Canada: 25% on Canadian goods, anthere throughartificially increasing additional 25% on foreign steel andcosts for our factories by blocking aluminum, and 10% on Canadianthat supply.energy. Uncertainty continues toThats why tariffs simply arent surround these tariffs and their im- the answer. They are unwarranted plementationand we know that theand unjustified and undermine the last thing businesses want is uncer- fair trade rules that Canada negotiat-tainty. ed in good faith with the Administra-Canada-Illinois trade covers ev- tion just five years ago. The Adminis-erything from energy to agriculture,tration cites illicit drugs and illegal medicines & healthcare products, tomigration to justify the national motor vehicles and chemicals. Butsecurity threat now posed by its many of the goods we sell the U.S. areclosest ally, but the facts are clear.intermediate products that feed Mid- Less than 0.2% of all fentanyl west manufacturing, which is whyseized by U.S. border authorities is Canada is the only one of Americasfound at the northern border. Far top five trading partners with whichmore, in fact, is seized by Canadian the U.S. has a manufacturing tradeborder authorities being trafficked surplus. In fact, excluding energy, thefrom the U.S. into Canada. And U.S. actually enjoys an overall tradewhile less than 1% of illegal migrants surplus with Canada as well. enter the U.S. through the northern And even our energy exchangeborder, we have still pledged a new represents free trade at its best. Can- $1 billion border security investment The views expressed in this publicationada supplies the heavy crude oil thatto build on our 89% reduction in represent those of the authors and do not reflect the official position nor dothe U.S. cant easily produce domes- such crossings from peak 2024 levels.they serve as an endorsement of thetically or would have to import fromWe will always keep working to Illinois Chamber of Commerce. less stable overseas markets. The U.S.protect our shared border, but tariffs 10ILLINOIS BUSINESS LEADER'