Recently, I travelled to New York to fight for Canada and fight for tariff-free trade.

Over two days, I met with investors, business leaders, policy experts and employers. I spoke

directly to American audiences through interviews with CNBC, Fox Business, CBS and

Bloomberg.

A lot of the conversation was focused on tariffs, trade disputes and economic uncertainty. But

what stood out most was something else: the American people still see Canada as a trusted

friend, ally and trading partner. Everywhere I went, people spoke warmly about our country.

That should not come as a surprise.

Canada and the United States have built one of the closest partnerships in the world. We share

the longest undefended border. Our economies are deeply connected. We have fought alongside

one another in times of war, traded together in times of peace and built prosperity together for

decades.

While in New York, I also visited the National 9/11 Memorial ahead of the 25th anniversary of

the terrorist attack.

The memorial reminds visitors of one of the darkest days in modern history. It is also a reminder

of the strength of the friendship between our two countries. Canadians welcomed stranded

Americans when their flights were diverted to airports like Gander. Later, our soldiers stood

shoulder to shoulder in the fight against the terrorists in Afghanistan.

That friendship, forged through shared sacrifice and strengthened over generations, remains one

of our greatest assets.

Our real adversaries are not each other. They are the authoritarian regimes that threaten free

markets, freedoms and the security of the Western world. They seek to dominate supply chains,

manipulate energy markets and weaken democratic alliances.

That is why Canada and the US must work together to build a stronger, more competitive and

self-reliant North America.

Canada has an enormous role to play. We can provide the energy, uranium, potash and critical

minerals needed to power North American industry. We have 10 out of the 12 NATO-defined

minerals needed to fight a war. The United States can provide investment, innovation and access

to markets. Together, we can create jobs and grow our economies on both sides of the border

while reducing our dependence on hostile regimes.

Tariffs move us in the wrong direction.

They raise costs for consumers and workers. They create uncertainty for businesses and

investors. They make it harder to grow our economies and create good paying jobs on both sides

of the border.

The message I brought to New York was simple: Canada is America's best friend, closest ally

and most reliable economic partner. And I was able to share how right here in Battle

River—Crowfoot, we showcase just that, from our people to our energy and agriculture sectors.

Our countries have achieved great things together. We can achieve even more if we choose

cooperation over conflict, growth over barriers and free trade over tariffs.

That is good for Canada. It is good for the United States. And it is the path to a stronger, safer

and more prosperous North America.