Maintain constructive relations and deepen trade and commerce with the United States.

What success looks like

Strong economic growth and well-paying, middle-class jobs on both sides of the border.

Government's narrative on progress

The government, in coordination with provinces and territories, continues to work with the United States (U.S.) administration, the U.S. Congress and officials at the state and local levels to grow Canada's economy, create well-paying middle class jobs, and address global challenges. Since January 2017, the Prime Minister, Cabinet ministers, parliamentary secretaries, premiers and provincial and territorial ministers have cumulatively undertaken over 530 visits to the U.S. and engagements in Canada and abroad with senior U.S. officials. In February 2017, Canada and the U.S. announced the creation of the Canada-United States Council for Advancement of Women Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders to promote the growth of women-owned enterprises and to further contribute to Canada's overall economic growth and competitiveness. The Council has released its fifth, and final, report on October 29, 2018, recommending actions to reduce barriers that limit women's participation in business. On September 30, 2018, the government completed negotiations toward a Canada-US-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), which was signed on November 30, 2018. Canada continues to advocate against protectionist policies and for maintaining an open market. In cases where the U.S. has imposed unfair duties, Canada is forcefully challenging such duties under international disputes settlement processes (e.g. steel and aluminum, softwood lumber, paper products), and has responded to U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum with dollar for dollar tariffs on certain U.S. goods. The government also regularly engages with the U.S. to respond to global security issues, such as by co-hosting the Foreign Ministers' Meeting on Security and Stability in the Korean Peninsula and participating alongside the U.S. in a multinational operation to enforce UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea. Canada and the U.S. are also responding to crises in Venezuela and Myanmar, including by coordinating sanctions against key officials in those countries responsible for human rights abuses, the deterioration of democracy, or acts of significant corruption.

Note: this is the government's own description, not an independent assessment.