Canada and the United States have a special bond, forged by shared geography, values and interests, as well as strong economic ties and integrated supply chains. We share the world’s most comprehensive trading relationship, which supports millions of jobs in each country. The two countries are each others’ largest trading partners with nearly $2.7 billion USD ($3.6 billion CAD) worth of goods and services crossing the border each day in 2023.
Many Canadians and Americans have family and friends on either side of the border. Two out of three Canadians live within one hundred kilometres of the Canada-U.S. border, and it is estimated that nearly 400,000 people cross that border each day. About 20% of Canada’s gross domestic product comes from goods exported to the United States, while Canada is the top export destination for 35 U.S. states.
The North American vocational truck industry is a good example of the interconnected nature of the two economies. Each day, companies of all sizes in the industry are moving people, parts and products across the border in both directions. Many have operations in both countries. Strong North American integration helps both Canadian and U.S. companies compete in the global marketplace.
NTEA plays a pivotal role in educating decision-makers about the work truck industry and advocating for harmonized standards. We communicate regularly with officials and regulators and find that both governments are open to hearing industry interests and concerns.
Key policy areas where NTEA advocates for harmonization and alignment include motor vehicle safety, vehicle and engine greenhouse gas emission regulations, trade, border, tax, and import/export policies and procedures.
U.S.-Canada trade has long been governed by a succession of free trade agreements, the most recent of which is the United States-Canada-Mexico Agreement or USMCA, known as CUSMA in Canada. The Agreement is creating more balanced, reciprocal trade supporting high-paying jobs for Americans and Canadians and growth of the North American economy. The USMCA is up for review in July 2026, and NTEA supports the continuation of the Agreement as a framework to govern trade and investment in the region.
As new issues emerge, NTEA is there to represent the industry. The Association is actively involved in policy processes related to the development of zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandates and standards by national and sub-national governments. This requires working closely with government officials, as well as a broader network of key stakeholders, including other segments of the transportation industry, academia and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
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