00:00Canada's economy leans on the incredible $30 trillion economy of America.
00:08There's no doubt about that, Mr. Secretary, but insulting our closest ally and neighbor who provides a lot of business.
00:16We have a lot of businesses in New Hampshire, small businesses who work on both sides of the border.
00:21We have all those Canadian visitors who are not coming because of your comments and comments by the administration.
00:28Yes, thank you, and great idea, Mr. Chairman.
00:31Thank you, Mr. Secretary, for being here today.
00:34Last year, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council, the United States saw a 5.5% decline in
00:42international visitors.
00:43We were the only major economy to see any decline.
00:47In my home state of New Hampshire, tourism is the second largest industry both by revenue and it supports 70
00:54,000 jobs.
00:55Canada has long been our largest share of foreign visitors, but last year we saw a 30% drop in
01:02Canadian tourism, largely due to the loss of trust and goodwill because of this administration's rhetoric around Canada.
01:11Secretary Letnik, last week you said about Canada's economic strategy, and I quote,
01:16they suck.
01:18I believe your spokesperson then said this was about Canada's economy leeching off of the U.S.
01:25How does insulting our closest ally and neighbor help the businesses in my state of New Hampshire and states all
01:33across this country who are hurting because of the loss of Canadian business and tourism?
01:42Canada's economy leans on the incredible $30 trillion economy of America.
01:50There's no doubt about that, Mr. Secretary, but insulting our closest ally and neighbor who provides a lot of business.
01:58We have a lot of businesses in New Hampshire, small businesses who work on both sides of the border.
02:04We have all those Canadian visitors who are not coming because of your comments and comments by the administration.
02:11How does that help our economy?
02:13It is outrageous that Canada will not put U.S. spirits on the shelf.
02:20It is insulting.
02:21It is.
02:23And disrespectful to America that they won't even put...
02:25And my husband has an interest in a company that has American spirits, and they won't do it because of
02:34the insults from this president and comments like yours.
02:38So I want to go on to another question.
02:42But can I have just one small comment, which is dairy is treated so badly, and your state cares about
02:47dairy,
02:48and we are trying desperately to get them to live to the deal that they have on USMCA and stop
02:55treating our dairy farmers so poorly,
02:58and your state cares about that, and we are fighting for that?
03:01We do, but we are not going to get agreement when we keep insulting people.
03:08When we have allies and partners, we should try and work with them, not insult them.
03:13And I find your rhetoric insulting to the people in my state who are working so hard to try and
03:20ensure that they can do business.
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