Wab Kinew, Gary Doer part of Manitoba's trade mission to U.S. amid uncertain trade policy future

Premier Wab Kinew isn't waiting for aU.S. presidential election that could have a heavy impact onhis province'seconomy before trying to reinforce Manitoba'srelationships with the economic powerhouse.

Kinew andGary Doer, a former premier and formerCanadian ambassador to the United States, will embarkon atrade mission to America's seat of power next week.

"The advicekept coming back that building strong relationships now willensure that whatever Americans choose as their path forward in the future we can have good trade, good economic relationships and that ongoing valuable partnership with our most important ally," Kinew said at an unrelated news conferenceFriday.

In his first international trade mission as Manitoba's premier, Kinew will travel to Washington, D.C., and New York City.

His four-day tripcomes amid widespreaduncertaintyaround America's future trade policies as thepresumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump, whotriggered tariff feuds and slowed the growth of international trade in his first term in office, attempts to unseat Democrat Joe Biden as president.

Kinew's entourage for the trade missionincludes Doer,who's currentlyadvising Kinew on Canada-U.S. relationsin a volunteer capacity, and twoprovincial ministers:Jamie Moses, who's in charge of economic development, and Lisa Naylor, who's leadsthe transportation and infrastructure file.

The premier's also bringing a 10-member delegation of leaders in business, manufacturing,mining, agriculture and labour, includingNFI Group president Paul Soubry and Price Industries president Chuck Fraley. Some government staff will also attend.

Kinew said Friday he'd meet with politicians from both sides of the aisle, as well as "thought leaders" and "folks who are influential around public policy" in the U.S.

"I think themost important goal that I would hope we accomplish on this is that we just start to build the relationships. We build the relationships so that if we need to go to the negotiating table later, the interests of Manitoba are going to be well understood and we'll be able to stand up for our jobs and our economy."

Two sides of the aisle

According to an itinerary provided to CBC News, the premier'sthree daysin Washingtonwill consist of several meetings with U.S. Congress members and senators. Kinew's office wouldn't reveal the names of the lawmakers, but said they representMinnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Alaska.

Kinew will also have discussions withsenior U.S. agriculture official Alexis Taylor, Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem, as well as officials with theNational Association of Manufacturers, U.S. Chamber of Commerce,Washington International Trade Association and American Federation of Labor.

WATCH| Kinewto lead 1st internationaltrade mission as premier:

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew ready to embark on U.S. trade mission

6 months ago

Duration 2:06

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew is visiting the United States for his first international trade mission as premier. He says it's important to deepen economic ties with the U.S., even as the upcoming presidential election leads to uncertainty about America's future policies around trade.

Manitoba willhost a kickoff breakfast onMonday morning and areception at the Canadian Embassy on Tuesday evening.

The entire delegation will receive atour ofthe United StatesHolocaust Memorial Museum on Monday.

On Wednesday morning, the premier willdeliver a speech at a "breakfast conversation" co-hosted by the Wilson Centerand Canadian American Business Council.

Kinew will arrive in New York late Wednesday and on Thursday meet with representatives from CIBC, credit rating companiesS&P Global Ratings and Moody's Investor Services, and the Canadian ambassador to the United States.

He'll return to Winnipeg later that day.

In a statement, the government saidKinew would use the meetings to"leverage a heightened focus on the clean energy economy, food security and strategic trade corridors to underline existing agreements and find new opportunities to export goods and services to the United States."

Official Opposition Leader Wayne Ewasko said Manitobans are struggling at home with long health-care waits and other issues.

"The premier has plenty of time for his junkets when he's not scheduled to be in the legislature answering the questions of Manitobans," the Progressive Conservative leader said in a statement.

Kinew will miss four days of question period due to his absence.

The government wouldn't answer Friday how much the four-day trade mission will cost the province.

Other recent government business tripsto the United States include former PC premier Brian Pallister visiting New York in 2018 to sell banks on the province's improving fiscal situation, and in 2014 former NDPpremier Greg Selingervisited New York and Atlanta on trade missions.

Members of Kinew's trade mission delegation:

• Gary Doer former premier of Manitoba, former Canadian ambassador to the U.S.
• Stacy Kennedy president ofMining Association of Manitoba, director ofManitoba operations for Vale.
• Jill Verwey president of Keystone Agricultural Producers.
• Bram Strain president and CEO of Business Council of Manitoba.
• Paul Soubry president and CEO of NFI Group.
• Mike Pulak co-ordinator of United Steelworkers Manitoba Area.
• Ash Modha CEO of Mondetta Clothing.
• Loren Remillard president and CEO of Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce.
• Gustavo Zentner president of International Point of Commerce and Jewish Federation of Winnipeg.
• Ryan Kuffner president and CEO of Economic Development Winnipeg.
• Chuck Fraley president and COO of Price Industries.
• Lisa Naylor minister oftransportation and infrastructure.
• Jamie Moses minister ofeconomic development, investment, trade and natural resources.