Daines, Zinke Request Canadian PM Prioritize Montana Issues

Senator Steve Daines and Representative Ryan Zinke are urging the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to prioritize Montana issues in discussions with Canada.

In a letter to Ambassador Michael Froman, Daines and Zinke requested that the USTR prioritize Montana issues as they prepare for Prime Minister Trudeau’s upcoming state visit including the renegotiation of the expired Softwood Lumber Agreement and wheat grading.

“As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s state visit to Washington, D.C. on March 10 is rapidly approaching, we request that you prioritize a few issues critical to our constituents and Americans across the country during any working meetings or negotiations that may occur during the visit,” Daines and Zinke wrote. “In particular, we urge you to highlight the importance of renegotiating the now-expired Softwood Lumber Agreement (SLA) and to address issues related to the grading of U.S. wheat that is exported to Canada.”

Next Month, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will visit Washington, D.C., for his first time since being elected Prime Minister.