CALGARY -- The sigh from the C-Suite was one of relief as Canadian business leaders took comfort Monday in the positive tone on trade struck by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Donald Trump.
From the forestry industry to the automotive sector to the oilpatch, Corporate Canada kept a close eye on the first one-on-one meeting between the two leaders, parsing every word they uttered for clues on the future of trade between the two countries.
Trump, who won the U.S. election campaigning on a promise to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement, beamed about America's "very outstanding trade relationship with Canada."
The president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association, which represents companies that are acutely integrated across North America, said Trump's comments were a welcome affirmation of what he's been quietly hearing from U.S. officials over the last couple of months.
"We were pleasantly surprised that the president would have used as many superlatives when discussing his view on Canada as a trading partner," Flavio Volpe said.
Volpe said that going forward, he'll be emphasizing how much America -- and American consumers -- have benefited from one of the most integrated industries in the world.
"We're happy to share any and all data and give them a sense of how American interests have been well-served in all three countries."
Dennis Darby, CEO of the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, said he was pleased to hear trade become a focal point of Trudeau's meeting with Trump, including specific commitments by both countries to establish pre-clearance operations for cargo.
Darby said he believes upcoming Canadian-U.S. negotiations on trade and other cross-border business issues are now getting off on the right foot.
"The table has been set for a set of positive discussions," he said.
"I think Canada will need to be vigilant about protecting our interests, as the U.S. will be as well. But it sounds much more positive than at least some of the commentary in the recent past."
Derek Nighbor, CEO of the Forest Products Association of Canada, said he was encouraged to hear Trump say he would only be "tweaking" NAFTA and is more focused on trade issues with Mexico.
Nighbor said all industries in Canada are looking to remind the U.S. of the importance of the current trade relationship and he was pleased to see Trudeau deliver a similar message in Washington.
A joint statement released by Canada and the U.S. affirmed the "profound shared economic interests" between the two countries and the US$2 billion in two-way trade flowing across the border daily.
The statement also specifically committed to further improving energy and environmental ties and moving forward on energy infrastructure projects, specifically mentioning the Keystone XL pipeline.
Tim McMillan, head of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, said it was a good signal for the TransCanada project.
"To see it as one of the specific mentions, it really reaffirms that this is a priority for the new administration, and it's a priority here in Canada," said McMillan.
He said it was positive that the importance of the environment was mentioned along with energy, but that Canada will have to be conscious on the details of how regulations play out in the U.S.
Avery Shenfeld, chief economist at CIBC Capital Markets, said in a note to clients that Trump's comments on NAFTA should offer some comfort to Canadian economy watchers.
Shenfeld did, however, point out that the issue of a border tax on imports to the U.S., which could prove disruptive to a wide range of industries, was not covered.
