The Canada-Michigan Relationship: An Address by Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan

As the Canada-U.S. relationship dominates discussions on both sides of the border, relationships with our U.S. partners could not be more important.  The state of Michigan – with bilateral trade at over $95 Billion dollars annually (and $68 Billion dollars between Ontario and Michigan alone) — is Canada’s largest U.S. trading jurisdiction in such sectors as auto, manufacturing and services. Michigan and Canada are literally linked together. They share a border and key natural resources including four of the five Great Lakes

Canada and Michigan must work together to tackle big economic and environmental challenges from trade to climate change. As proud manufacturing partners with the same end goals of bringing critical supply chains home, creating good-paying jobs, and delivering prosperity for local families, Canada and Michigan have an opportunity to model what a productive, international partnership looks like to the rest of the world.

On Wednesday October 1st, 2025, the Empire Club of Canada partnered with the American Chamber of Commerce in Canada (AmCham Canada), to present The Canada-Michigan Relationship: An Address by The Honorable Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan. Governor Whitmer’s insights were followed by a fireside chat moderated by award winning journalist Steve Paikin, host of The Paikin Podcast.

This event occurred during Governor Whitmer’s visit to Canada to Chair the 2025 Leadership Summit of the Great Lakes St Lawrence Governors and Premiers. This event will be invaluable to understand the evolving trade landscape.