U.S. Chamber’s Donohue Discusses Challenges and Opportunities for Energy Cooperation in North America

Says “The United States Could Learn Some Important Lessons From Canada, Including How to Encourage Domestic Energy Production”

WASHIINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue today highlighted the importance of the U.S.-Canada trade relationship and pushed for enhanced energy cooperation between the two countries during a panel discussion at the International Economic Forum of the Americas’ Conference of Montreal in Montreal, Quebec.  Perrin Beatty, president and CEO of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, joined Donohue on the panel. 

“For both nations, it is imperative that we secure an abundant and affordable supply of energy,” said Donohue. “We have a mutual interest in developing Canada's oil sands and building the Keystone XL pipeline. Both can be done safely and with a limited impact on the environment. It's not a question of whether these oil sands are going to be developed, it's a question of which markets the energy will go to. The United States is the best destination - we are close, we are a friend and an ally, and we have stronger environmental standards than many other possible recipients. This is a win-win deal for our two countries.”

Donohue praised the smart public policy decisions Canada has made over the last two decades that have transformed its economy.  “The United States could learn some important lessons from Canada, including how to encourage, rather than discourage, domestic energy production,” he said. 

Donohue also highlighted the importance of the U.S.-Canada trade relationship,  with $1.6 billion worth of goods traded every day, and noted the Chamber’s support for Canada’s entry into ongoing Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations.

“As two of the world's largest economies, the United States and Canada must lead on trade, which could help boost the world economy, and promote global stability. The best opportunity is the Trans Pacific Partnership. The U.S. Chamber strongly favors Canada joining the negotiations.”