NH trade mission to Canada seen as having positive results

Along with representatives of Canada, members of the New Hampshire delegation pose for a photo in Halifax during a recent trade mission to Canada. From left: Taylor Caswell, commissioner of the NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs; state Sen. Tim McGough, chairman of the NH Canadian Trade Council; Wendy Luther, president and CEO of the Halifax Partnership; Gov. Kelly Ayotte; Mike Skelton, president and CEO of the BIA; Andrea Hechavarria, president and CEO of NH Life Sciences; and Bernadette Jordan, Canada’s consul general in Boston. (Courtesy photo)

For Michael Skelton, president and CEO of the Business & Industry Association (BIA) of New Hampshire, a recent trade mission of Granite Staters to Canada achieved two purposes.

One, it opened potential new avenues of business ventures and commerce, according to Skelton. Two, it helped cool the fiery political rhetoric from the Trump Administration associated with tariffs and talk of Canada as the 51st state.

“We heard throughout our visits in Halifax, Montreal, and Quebec City that the presence of the governor and our delegation was very meaningful and deeply appreciated by our Canadian neighbors,” said Skelton upon his return from the three-day visit.

“At a time when trade negotiations at the federal level may be tense, this trip served as an important reminder of the deep economic and cultural bond New Hampshire and Canada share that has endured a very long time and will continue regardless of any near-term issues,” he added.

Gov. Kelly Ayotte led the visit, which included a selection of policymakers as well as businesspeople representing a wide array of enterprises.

Skelton’s BIA is the state’s chamber of commerce of more than 400 members employing upwards of 100,000 people in the state.

“I have no doubt there will be both immediate and long-term results and successes from this trade mission. In the short term, we gained some valuable insights and ideas on how our neighbors to the north support innovation, workforce training and entrepreneurship,” said Skelton, asked by NH Business Review if he expects the trade mission to produce results that ultimately benefit both New Hampshire and Canada.

“I’m excited to bring what we learned to partners here in New Hampshire and see how we can put these ideas into practice,” he added. “In the near to long term, our delegation made dozens of contacts with Canadian business owners interested in doing business or expanding to New Hampshire. These connections will spark many follow-up conversations and meetings in the weeks and months ahead that will lead to expanded economic opportunities and growth for our state.”

The Ayotte-led mission, organized in partnership with the New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA), included, besides Skelton, BEA Commissioner Taylor Caswell, New Hampshire Life Sciences President Andrea Hechavarria, and the New Hampshire Canadian Trade Council, led by state Sen. Tim McGough, R-Merrimack. SEIU Local 1984 President Rich Gulla also joined the delegation for the last day of the trip.

According to the BEA, visits to Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Montreal and Quebec City, Quebec, focused on building strategic partnerships in advanced manufacturing, life sciences and logistics.

“Canada remains New Hampshire’s most important trading partner, and this mission is aimed at reinforcing our commitment to partnership in sectors that drive innovation and create high-paying jobs,” said BEA Commissioner Taylor Caswell. “From AI-driven manufacturing to biomedical research, we’re focused on long-term collaborations that bring cross-border economic benefits.”

According to Ayotte’s office, New Hampshire imported around $1.7  billion in goods and services from Canada in 2024, making Canada its largest source of imports. Impacted sectors include fuel oil, building materials, seafood and machinery components. The office offered the following breakdown of imported value by sector:

• Aerospace components: $168 million
• Fabricated metal/scrap products: $84 million
• Business & professional services: $61 million
• Electrical/computer equipment: $45 million
• Technology & equipment: $37 million
• Financial & insurance: $36 million

“New Hampshire is open for business, and we’re proud to be communicating that to our Canadian partners,” said Ayotte. “From innovative technology to forestry, there are tremendous opportunities for Canadian companies to invest and grow in our state. Our low taxes, business-friendly regulatory environment, and hard-working people are an excellent fit for any business looking to grow.”

Currently, the largest U.S. tariffs — between 35% and 50% — are imposed on Canada steel and aluminum products. A 10% tariff is imposed on energy-related products. Beyond the tariffs, and perhaps more vilifying to Canadians, has been President Donald Trump’s on-again, off-again comment that the U.S. should annex Canada as its 51st state.

The Canadian government responded to the U.S. tariffs with counter tariffs of their own. The Canadian people have responded by not visiting the U.S., which has had a telling effect on the Northeast, particularly northern New England states such as New Hampshire. Businesses here have reported to their chambers of commerce fewer summer bookings, fewer visits and less spending by Canadian tourists.

It was within this climate that the New Hampshire delegation met with regional leaders, chambers of commerce, university research labs and trade organizations in Halifax, Montreal, and Quebec City.

“As chairman of the New Hampshire Canadian Trade Council, I was glad to have the opportunity to meet directly with leaders of business and industry from one of our state’s largest trading partners,” said Sen. McGough. “I look forward to working with the Governor, BEA, and my colleagues in the Legislature to explore ways to strengthen our economic advantage and grow our partnerships with our Canadian neighbors.”

Among the sessions were meetings with Canadian tech startups, of special interest to Hechavarria. Among the participants was BIOQuebec, the province’s equivalent of New Hampshire Life Sciences association.

“Canada and New Hampshire are both home to a thriving life sciences industry with tremendous opportunities to grow our already-strong partnerships,” said Hechavarria. “New Hampshire Life Sciences will continue working with our counterparts in Canada to foster innovation and promote our state as a premier destination for these companies to invest and create jobs.”