Ensuring the US and Canada face the world’s challenges together.

US/CA
The friendship between the US and Canada is a world-class model for nations everywhere.
Both countries adhere to democratic values and a commitment to peace, prosperity, and human rights, while keeping borders open and secure. In the face of global threats, the two nations align their defenses. To safeguard the changing planet, they work to protect the environment and shared resources. The US and Canada are each other’s most important customer and supplier, neighbor and family—a relationship the CABC is committed to preserving and strengthening for future generations.
Canada’s relationship with the United States was compounded of one part proximity and nine parts goodwill and common sense.
President Harry S. Truman

About CABC

We are the leading nonprofit, nonpartisan, issues-oriented organization dedicated to fostering dialogue between the public and private sectors in the US and Canada. We help legislators, media, and business figures navigate—and define—the exemplary relationship between the two nations.

Timeline of Recent US and Canada History

These key events forever shaped the relationship between the neighboring nations.
1949
1957
1965
1972
1980
1987
1992
2005
2011
2016
2017
2018
2020
NATO

The US and Canada are among the 12 founders of the North American Treaty Organization (NATO), one of the most successful military alliances in history.

NORAD

The Canadian and American governments announce the integration of their air-defence forces under a joint command, creating the North American Air Defense Agreement (NORAD), a shield under which the two countries operate to this day.

Auto Pact

Canada and the US sign the Auto Pact, eliminating all tariffs on new cars and automobile parts manufactured in either country. The historic trade treaty will last 36 years and accomplish full integration of the North American automotive industry.

Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement

The US and Canada sign the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, which maintains integrity of the Great Lakes Basin ecosystem, with its shores in both nations.

Iran Hostage Crisis

Six American diplomats, who had escaped from the US embassy in Tehran when it was occupied by militant students on November 4, 1979, are spirited out of Iran carrying Canadian passports. They shelter in the Canadian embassy for 12 weeks, while a top-secret exfiltration plan—coined the Canadian Caper—is devised by Washington and Ottawa. Canadian ambassador to Iran Ken Taylor will later be awarded the US Congressional Gold Medal for his courageous role when Americans needed Canada most.

CABC

The Canadian American Business Council (CABC) is formed, one year before the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) becomes a central issue in Canada’s 1988 federal election campaign. The treaty becomes law shortly after Brian Mulroney wins re-election, having famously changed his mind and campaigned as a free trader.

NAFTA

US President George W. Bush, Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, and Mexican President Carlos Salinas de Gortari initial the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which expands the original Free Trade Agreement, bringing Mexico into the treaty. It is ratified in all three countries and passed into law a year later.

SPP

Canada, the US, and Mexico sign a new pact, the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) for North America. The agreement grew out of the post-9/11 restrictions and is designed to both ensure an unhindered flow of commerce and satisfy new security requirements. The Council was a champion of the agreement and instrumental in its creation.

RCC

With urging from the Council and others, Obama and Harper create the United States-Canada Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC). The RCC has a mandate to promote trade-enabling regulatory harmonization. The initiative is reaffirmed in subsequent governments and is likely to become even more urgent in the economic recovery following the global pandemic of 2020.

Trudeau State Visit

Justin Trudeau makes the first state visit to the White House by a Canadian leader in 19 years, a diplomatic mission made possible by mutual pledges to combat climate change. Trudeau and Obama later announce commitments to reduce planet-warming emissions of methane by 40-45 percent of 2012 levels by 2025. The Council members are invited to the official state welcome on the South Lawn of the White House and the luncheon, hosted by Secretary of State John Kerry in honor of Trudeau. The Council later hosts an after-party following the state dinner.

With Faith and Goodwill

The Council publishes With Faith and Goodwill, a tribute to 150 years of US-Canada friendship through a collection of speeches, photographs, and essays from prime ministers and presidents throughout history. The Council’s book tour included dialogues between President Bush and Prime Minister Harper, President Carter and Prime Minister Clark, President Clinton and Prime Minister Chretien, and a fireside chat at Chapters Books in Toronto with Heather Reisman, Scott Reid, and Prime Minister Martin.

USMCA

Following long months of negotiations, President Trump, Prime Minister Trudeau, and President Pena Nieto all sign a new trade agreement—the NAFTA-replacing United States- Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)—during the G20 Summit in Buenos Aires. Businesses with cross-border interests have stable new rules for years to come.

COVID-19 Response

The Council leads a wide-ranging cross-border advocacy effort to ensure that the pandemic response is collaborative between Canada and the US, rather than competitive. This follows the successful effort to exempt Canada and Mexico from the US Defense Production Act invoked by President Trump to commandeer essential goods during the COVID-19 crisis, ensuring both countries receive life-saving equipment, even in the face of manufacturers being required to prioritize US customers.

Timeline of Recent US and Canada History

These key events forever shaped the relationship between the neighboring nations.
1949
1957
1965
1972
1980
1987
1992
2005
2011
2016
2017
2018
2020
NATO

The US and Canada are among the 12 founders of the North American Treaty Organization (NATO), one of the most successful military alliances in history.

NORAD

The Canadian and American governments announce the integration of their air-defence forces under a joint command, creating the North American Air Defense Agreement (NORAD), a shield under which the two countries operate to this day.

Auto Pact

Canada and the US sign the Auto Pact, eliminating all tariffs on new cars and automobile parts manufactured in either country. The historic trade treaty will last 36 years and accomplish full integration of the North American automotive industry.

Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement

The US and Canada sign the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, which maintains integrity of the Great Lakes Basin ecosystem, with its shores in both nations.

Iran Hostage Crisis

Six American diplomats, who had escaped from the US embassy in Tehran when it was occupied by militant students on November 4, 1979, are spirited out of Iran carrying Canadian passports. They shelter in the Canadian embassy for 12 weeks, while a top-secret exfiltration plan—coined the Canadian Caper—is devised by Washington and Ottawa. Canadian ambassador to Iran Ken Taylor will later be awarded the US Congressional Gold Medal for his courageous role when Americans needed Canada most.

CABC

The Canadian American Business Council (CABC) is formed, one year before the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) becomes a central issue in Canada’s 1988 federal election campaign. The treaty becomes law shortly after Brian Mulroney wins re-election, having famously changed his mind and campaigned as a free trader.

NAFTA

US President George W. Bush, Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, and Mexican President Carlos Salinas de Gortari initial the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which expands the original Free Trade Agreement, bringing Mexico into the treaty. It is ratified in all three countries and passed into law a year later.

SPP

Canada, the US, and Mexico sign a new pact, the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) for North America. The agreement grew out of the post-9/11 restrictions and is designed to both ensure an unhindered flow of commerce and satisfy new security requirements. The Council was a champion of the agreement and instrumental in its creation.

RCC

With urging from the Council and others, Obama and Harper create the United States-Canada Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC). The RCC has a mandate to promote trade-enabling regulatory harmonization. The initiative is reaffirmed in subsequent governments and is likely to become even more urgent in the economic recovery following the global pandemic of 2020.

Trudeau State Visit

Justin Trudeau makes the first state visit to the White House by a Canadian leader in 19 years, a diplomatic mission made possible by mutual pledges to combat climate change. Trudeau and Obama later announce commitments to reduce planet-warming emissions of methane by 40-45 percent of 2012 levels by 2025. The Council members are invited to the official state welcome on the South Lawn of the White House and the luncheon, hosted by Secretary of State John Kerry in honor of Trudeau. The Council later hosts an after-party following the state dinner.

With Faith and Goodwill

The Council publishes With Faith and Goodwill, a tribute to 150 years of US-Canada friendship through a collection of speeches, photographs, and essays from prime ministers and presidents throughout history. The Council’s book tour included dialogues between President Bush and Prime Minister Harper, President Carter and Prime Minister Clark, President Clinton and Prime Minister Chretien, and a fireside chat at Chapters Books in Toronto with Heather Reisman, Scott Reid, and Prime Minister Martin.

USMCA

Following long months of negotiations, President Trump, Prime Minister Trudeau, and President Pena Nieto all sign a new trade agreement—the NAFTA-replacing United States- Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)—during the G20 Summit in Buenos Aires. Businesses with cross-border interests have stable new rules for years to come.

COVID-19 Response

The Council leads a wide-ranging cross-border advocacy effort to ensure that the pandemic response is collaborative between Canada and the US, rather than competitive. This follows the successful effort to exempt Canada and Mexico from the US Defense Production Act invoked by President Trump to commandeer essential goods during the COVID-19 crisis, ensuring both countries receive life-saving equipment, even in the face of manufacturers being required to prioritize US customers.

Without a doubt, Canada and the United States enjoy an economic and security relationship unlike any other in the world. But the true strength of the US-Canada partnership lies in the millions of connections across both countries that bring together our families, communities, businesses, and militaries every single day.
Ambassador Kirsten Hillman

Common Ground

Common Ground is where we share articles written by our team, links to what we are reading, recent media coverage of CABC, news about the US and Canada, member spotlights, our events, and more.  

Do you have an exciting US-Canada memory, event, or topic you’d like to spotlight on Common Ground? Please email us. We want to help share your story.

On our own, we make progress. But together, our two countries make history. Duty-bound, loyal, and forever linked, whatever the future holds, we will face it together. Neighbors, partners, allies, and friends. This is our experience and our example to the world.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
She clasps the American hand with her faith and goodwill. That long frontier from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans, guarded only by neighborly respect and honorable obligations, is an example to every country and a pattern for the future of the world.
Prime Minister Winston Churchill
Geography has made us neighbors. History has made us friends. Economics has made us partners. And necessity has made us allies. Those whom nature hath so joined together, let no man put asunder.
President John F. Kennedy
Your country, my country—each is a better and stronger and more influential nation because we can rely upon every resource of the other in days of crisis.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower
[The US] and Canada are first and foremost friends. Secondly, we are large trading partners. This is a relationship that is deep and broad and good.
Condoleezza Rice, Former United States Secretary of State