WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), northern border senators and members of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), announced they are founding an American Canadian Economy and Security (ACES) Caucus – a bipartisan, bicameral caucus dedicated to strengthening the economic and national security relationship between the United States and Canada.

The relationship between the U.S. and Canada is powered by approximately $2 billion in trade every single day, and supports more than 7.5 million jobs throughout the country. In addition, Canada buys more goods and services from the U.S. than China, Japan, and India combined. As North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) partners and NATO allies, the U.S. and Canada work closely together to ensure greater security across North America.

“Across our Northern Border, we have friends, business partners, family members, and neighbors who are an inseparable part of our communities and daily lives,” said Senator King. “The success of the United States and Canada has always been closely tied – our economic partnership creates millions of jobs and supports countless industries. With common values, we stand together on key national security issues and in defense of North America. I look forward to working with Senator Cramer as co-chairs of the bipartisan ACES Caucus to strengthen our relationship with Canada as we take on shared challenges and opportunities.”

“As anyone in North Dakota knows, our relationship with our neighbors to the North impacts so much life in both our state and across America,” said Senator Cramer. “Our ACES Caucus recognizes the strategic role Canada plays when it comes to our economic and national security. I look forward to strengthening our relationship and working on issues facing the U.S. and Canada.”

Ahead of the announcement, the senators met with Canada’s Ambassador to the United States, Kirsten Hillman, to discuss the Caucus’ objectives and ways to collaborate with the Embassy of Canada. The Senators and the Ambassador discussed a wide range of topics including trade, critical mining, and border issues.

“Thank you, Senators King and Cramer, for your leadership in launching the ACES Caucus in the United States Senate. This bicameral initiative will help to highlight the unparalleled Canada-U.S. relationship and how it shapes so many aspects of our daily lives in both countries. We are friends, partners, and allies with a shared interest in securing our neighbourhood and strengthening our integrated economies. With Canada being the top customer for more than 30 U.S. states, our robust trade relationship fuels economic growth and creates jobs. Together with my team at the Embassy and our 12 Consulates General across the United States, I look forward to working closely with all members of the ACES Caucus – on both sides of Capitol Hill – to advance this exceptional initiative,” said Kirsten Hillman, Ambassador of Canada to the United States.

Congressman Mark Amodei (R-NV-02) and Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX-07) are leading the Caucus in the House of Representatives.