Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, yesterday met with Chrystia Freeland, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs and David MacNaughton, Canada's Ambassador to the U.S., to discuss pressing international issues, including a number of issues of importance to Idahoans, like the Columbia River Treaty and trade issues including softwood lumber and dairy.
“Ms. Freeland, Ambassador MacNaughton, and I had a robust discussion on many issues that are important to people in both the United States and Canada,” said Risch. “I shared Idahoans' special interest in our relationship with Canada, particularly as the Columbia River Treaty is renegotiated, with both flood control and energy production being of great importance to our state. As chairman of the committee with jurisdiction on treaties, I am uniquely situated to ensure Idaho interests are represented and that is my highest priority. We also discussed Canada’s importance as Idaho agriculture’s largest foreign customer. Additionally, our mutual support of interim President of Venezuela, Juan Guaido, and our desire to see a peaceful transition in that country was an important topic of conversation. The U.S.-Canada relationship is strong, and I am grateful for Ms. Freeland’s visit and Canada’s close and enduring friendship.”
###