Consul touts Canada-U.S. relationship

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In the midst of a pending free trade agreement between North America’s three largest countries, the U.S. consul in Winnipeg used his scheduled visit in Brandon on Thursday to highlight the strong ties between Canada and its southern neighbour.

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This article was published 15/11/2018 (1960 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In the midst of a pending free trade agreement between North America’s three largest countries, the U.S. consul in Winnipeg used his scheduled visit in Brandon on Thursday to highlight the strong ties between Canada and its southern neighbour.

Speaking at the Brandon Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Clarion Hotel and Suites, Anthony Pagliai praised the relationship between Canada and the U.S. in areas of trade and defence both of the border and internationally, much of which is dealt with behind the scenes, he said, and deeper than what is portrayed in newspapers and other media.

“We fought together in two world wars, we stormed the same beach in Normandy, we fought together in Afghanistan, and not just fighting a common enemy. We have kept the peace together,” he said.

Michael Lee/The Brandon Sun
U.S. Consul Anthony Pagliai speaks at the Brandon Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Thursday at the Clarion Hotel and Suites.
Michael Lee/The Brandon Sun U.S. Consul Anthony Pagliai speaks at the Brandon Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Thursday at the Clarion Hotel and Suites.

As the consul and principal officer of the U.S. consulate in Winnipeg, Pagliai is responsible for advancing the interests and goals of the U.S. to Manitobans and reporting local views and issues in the province to the U.S. embassy in Ottawa and to the State Department in Washington.

A born and raised Floridian, Pagliai’s previous postings include Tanzania, Thailand, the Bahamas and Mexico.

He is married to a Winnipegger and one of their two children was born at St. Boniface Hospital.

Pagliai took time to joke about the long history between Canada and the U.S., dating back to the burning of the White House to the mix of Canadians and Americans playing for the Winnipeg Jets today.

On trade, Pagliai said Canada and the U.S. share the longest undefended border in the world, opening up both countries to tourism and commerce.

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which would replace the North American Free Trade Agreement but has not been ratified, will create high-paying jobs for everyone, he said, in the auto industry and others, and should serve as a model for future U.S. trade agreements.

He pointed to certain highlights in the agreement, such as the chapter on digital trade and increased wages for workers in Mexico.

While the negotiations saw their fair share of arguments and disagreements, Pagliai said everyone was able to work out a deal that he believes will be beneficial to the entire continent.

“It reinforces a message that’s never been more true — that there is no deeper or more comprehensive commercial relationship between any two countries in the world than between Canada and the U.S.”

Michael Lee/Brandon Sun
Assiniboine Community College President Mark Frison calls for more college seats during the Brandon Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Thursday.
Michael Lee/Brandon Sun Assiniboine Community College President Mark Frison calls for more college seats during the Brandon Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Thursday.

Narrowing in on Manitoba alone, Pagliai said Minnesota trades five times more with the province than with the entire country of China.

But in order to have a strong border, Pagliai said both countries need a strong infrastructure, noting that an additional truck lane is being built at the Pembina port of entry south of Winnipeg.

“The sheer amount of partnership between our two countries is unbelievable and it’s something that I believe in, both personally and professionally. It’s something that I want to see continue.”

» mlee@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @mtaylorlee

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