Building and sustaining relationships are the bedrock of trade partnerships. Darin Johnson, president of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association, played his part in emphasizing the special relationship with his neighbors to the north when he visited with Hon. Warren Kaeding, Saskatchewan minister of trade and export development, during a meeting Feb. 11 at the Canadian Consulate in Minneapolis.

“It was a great conversation,” Johnson said. “We really talked about the relationship that we’ve had in the past and making sure that we’re keeping that relationship.”

Minnesota and Canda’s trade interests – and to a far greater extent, the U.S. and Canada – are intertwined, accounting for $2.1 billion in bilateral agricultural trade in 2023. Although Minnesota doesn’t ship much soy to Canada, soybeans are Minnesota’s No. 1 ag export, while the state’s ag exports to Canada hit $1.2 billion in 2023, topped by corn. Canada accounts for 34% of Minnesota’s ag exports, the largest of any market.

A snag in the flow of goods could severely hamper Minnesota’s economy.

“Bottom line, we don’t want to lose this market with an ally that literally borders our state,” Johnson.

The discussion was timely, given recent threats of a trade dispute between the two countries. In early February, President Donald Trump and Canadian President Justin Trudeau agreed to pause tariffs for a month while negotiations continued. Johnson said the meeting was a reminder to all parties the value of appreciating the link between the three countries comprising the USMCA (including Mexico), which is up for review in 2026.

“It’s just been seamless, right?” Johnson said. “It really has been a fantastic trade partnership since the original agreement (North American Free Trade Agreement) over 30 years ago.”

Since 2000, U.S. ag exports grew from $7.6 billion to $20.2 billion, an increase of 165%. U.S. Soy also values its relationship. According to SoyStats, Canada is the fourth largest market for U.S. soymeal, valued at $614 million annually. The U.S. also imports large volumes of potash, a vital ingredient in fertilizer, Johnson said.

“We had a lot of discussion about potash, because the actual mine is basically sitting in Saskatchewan in their backyard,” Johnson said.

Johnson was joined by leaders across agriculture and Canadian officials. He hopes to visit with Canadian leaders at their Washington, D.C., embassy during upcoming Hill Visits with the American Soybean Association.

“With all the tariff talk, to sit down at the table having this discussion today, all of us agreed that it’s so important that we’re maintaining these relationships,” he said.