Posts Tagged ‘Minister Van Loan’

February 13, 2010 — Vancouver

Sunday, February 14th, 2010

Yesterday morning the Vice President and the rest of the Presidential Delegation to the Olympics arrived. Julie and I went out to the airport to welcome them. I don’t care who you are, when you walk up to the steps of a big blue and white plane that says “United States of America” across the side and you greet the Vice President of the United States, it’s pretty special. The Vice President is accompanied by his wife Dr. Jill Biden, his two sons and their families. They are so warm toward all of us.

Also part of the delegation is Valerie Jarrett, my old colleague from Chicago who has become one of the President’s closest advisors. And the delegation wouldn’t be complete without some Olympic legends. So we are joined by gold medalists Mike Eruzione, Vonetta Flowers and Peggy Fleming. More on them later.

Our first official stop was at the pep rally for the US Olympic team. I’ve been to pep rallies in high school and college. But never anything quite like this. Surrounded by the some of the best athletes in the world, the Vice President of the United States inspired them to represent our country and the spirit it stands for in front of the world.

We then went to the opening ceremonies. I’m sure you saw them on TV. Everyone did. A couple of impressions. It made me feel really proud that when the US team walked in they were greeted by a roar from the whole crowd. Says a lot about our relationship with Canada and the world. We were among friends. And the reaction the Canadian team got was very special. You could sense not only the pride of the Canadian people, but also the fondness of the rest of the world toward them. I’ll also say KD Lang’s rendition of Hallelujah was amazing.

Today the competitions began. We drove up to Whistler. We shared a ride with Minister Jim Prentice and his wife Karen. While it was not as sunny as the last time we drove on the Sea to Sky highway it was still magnificent. We watched the ski jumping. Not something I plan to try any time soon. We had planned to watch the Men’s downhill. But as you have all heard, it was postponed because of the weather. So we toured around Whistler. After lunch with the delegation, we walked for a couple of blocks along the main street and the Vice President was mobbed along the way. He stopped every few feet to pose for pictures, to talk to kids, and to sign autographs. It showed not only how close the relationship between our two countries is, but why. We are led by individuals like Barack Obama and Joe Biden who love people.

We then headed back to Vancouver for a meeting between Prime Minister Harper and the Vice President. Then I headed off to a reception for world business leaders hosted by Peter Van Loan, the Minister of International Trade.

Julie and I finished off the evening with Vonetta, Mike and Peggy at USA House, which is a place set up for the athletes, former Olympians, members of the USOC and others. It was like going to the Olympics Hall of Fame. We met Dan Jansen, Bonnie Blair, Nancy Kerrigan, Dana Torres, and more. Quite a thrill!

All this and it’s just the beginning. Can’t wait to see what happens next.

DJ

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Posted in February 2010 |

February 5, 2010 – Ottawa / Buy American

Friday, February 5th, 2010

February 5, 2010 – Ottawa / Buy American

I am pleased to be able to say that the United States and Canada have reached an agreement that will permanently expand free trade between our two countries. This was achieved after long and – at times – hard bargaining by people on both sides of the border. The agreement is an important step in a 40 year progression of free trade between the U.S. and Canada. Hopefully that progress will continue for at least 40 more years.

The very first issue I was briefed on after the President nominated me to serve as Ambassador to Canada was the Canadian reaction to the “Buy American” provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act – usually referred to as the Stimulus Act. Since then, virtually every time I have appeared in public and every time I have spoken to the press, the first question I am asked about is “Buy American.” Because of the ongoing negotiations, I have had to be circumspect in my comments. Today I can be less so.

While most trade barriers between our countries were eliminated as part of NAFTA, the situation with respect to government procurement – that is purchases from the private sector by governmental entities – was more complex. NAFTA opened the door to purchases by the Federal governments in the U.S. and Canada. But the same was not true for government procurement by the states and the provinces.

Today’s agreement – using the World Trade Organization process – significantly reduces those barriers between our two countries. And it does so on a permanent basis. In addition, the agreement grants to Canadian companies preferential access to a variety of programs under the Stimulus Bill where our two countries have agreed that our economies are most integrated. Specific barriers on the Canadian side were also eliminated. Finally, we agreed to commence new negotiations in an effort to broaden our commitment on government procurement, as well as to address any future issues that might arise on an expedited basis.

I have been asked who won in this deal. The answer is simple and straightforward. Everybody won. That’s the nature of free trade. We are both better off by opening our markets. That has been our experience over the last 40 years. Today’s agreement takes that process to the next level.

I want to thank Foreign Minister Cannon, International Trade Minister Van Loan, and Ambassador Doer for their efforts in concluding this deal. I also want to thank Minister Stockwell Day who – until a few weeks ago – served as the Minister of International Trade and who was instrumental in putting this deal together. Like Moses he saw the Promised Land but never quite got there. And on the U.S. side, I want to extend my thanks to Ron Kirk, the United States Trade Representative, for his perseverance in this effort.

Now the first question at every public appearance can be about something other than “Buy American.”

DJ

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Posted in February 2010 |

November 9, 2009 – Ottawa

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

Today was the 20th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. I went to an emotional ceremony at the Government Conference Center in downtown Ottawa. Minister Van Loan talked about how his family fled Communist oppression and came to Canada. Ambassador Witschel of Germany spoke of the joy of unification. And Prime Minister Harper spoke eloquently of the differences between our democratic ideals and those of a system that had to build walls to keep its people from escaping.

The Berlin Wall went up when I was 10 years old. While I didn’t understand the political significance of it at the time, I do remember studying about it in school and feeling very scared. I remember President Kennedy’s “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech. And Ronald Reagan’s “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” address.

I remember vividly where I was 20 years ago today – watching with amazement as the wall was scaled and then pulled down by tens of thousands of brave Berliners. That gift of freedom took place because of the bravery and the perseverance of people across Europe on both sides of the iron curtain. And it happened because of the support of many others, including the United States and Canada.

But history did not end when the wall came down. We are reminded daily of the new challenges we face in expanding the fight for freedom, promoting our common values, and safeguarding our people.

It was a good day for me and my family to reflect on many of the things we take for granted.

DJ

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Posted in November 2009 |