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Canada Is Part of Delaware’s Value-chain BY TOM CLARK
AS THE CONSUL GENERAL of Canada in New York, I’m often asked, “What are you doing here?” It’s the kind of question where interpretation (and inflection) matters. I’ve learned to interpret the query as arising not out of suspicion — “What are you doing here?” — but out of curiosity: “Why is Canada interested in Delaware? Why should Delaware be interested in Canada?” And I’m always happy to answer, given how important our bilateral relationship is and how deep our economic and people-to-people ties go. Especially at a time when national politics and the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) review dominate headlines, it’s valuable to zoom in with a more local focus. Canada is one of Delaware’s top customers, with more than $1 billion in goods and services from the First State making their way north every year. Canada also invests in Delaware, with some 6,600 employees at Canadianowned businesses across the state. Add to that the 38,300 employees supported by trade with Canada, ranging from chemical manufacturers to business services, and we see a meaningful impact that plays out day in and day out. But numbers only tell part of the story. Delaware and Canada also share a common outlook when it comes to innovation, sustainability, and the rule of law. Our companies operate seamlessly 40
across the border because our systems are compatible by design, and we’ve built long-term trust. That’s true whether your sector is financial services, including banking, energy, life sciences, manufacturing, or agriculture. Looking to expand your Delaware business operations? Consider Canada and its host of advantages: a skilled workforce, political stability, cost competitiveness, geographic proximity, supply chain integration, and shared values. Our 10 provinces and three territories have also recently made major commitments to ease friction across internal borders, so you can have confidence that the only business difference between Nunavut and Newfoundland is what time the clock shows. At the end of the day, the partnership between Canada and Delaware isn’t about a trip to Wilmington by a Canadian diplomat or pitting our lobster against your crab. It’s about jobs and shared prosperity at the community level. Whether you’re a Delaware exporter looking north, a business considering international expansion, or a policymaker focused on competitiveness, Canada is already part of your story. My role here is simply to strengthen those ties, make new connections, and ensure that this mutually beneficial relationship continues to deliver for Delaware businesses today and well into the future. n May/June 2026 | DELAWARE BUSINESS