Other states might share borders with Canada, but only Minnesota best matches its neighbor's good humor.
"It's always sunny in Duluth, eh?" said Khawar Nasim at the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce's annual dinner Thursday night.
Nasim, Canada's consul general in Minneapolis, gave a heartfelt and witty talk touching on shared values and the strength of the U.S. and Canadian partnership - which he stressed must be preserved and grown.
"We are steadfastly committed to free trade and convinced there are benefits to all of us in this room and beyond," he said. "We can agree (NAFTA) needs some updating and some changes, but we as Canada remain firmly committed to the concept of free trade."
Nasim spoke at the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center in the wake of what he called a "tough week" in the trade deal's ongoing renegotiation as the Trump Administration pushes for terms it sees as more favorable to American companies.
ADVERTISEMENT
The consul general pointed out that the U.S. exports more to Canada than vice versa, and he implored those in the audience to "join me as ambassadors."
"You sell more to Canada than to China, Japan and the European Union combined," Nasim said to applause. "We want more trade among friends, not less."
Beyond trade, Nasim touted Duluth's finer qualities and how they exemplify the best of Canada, which is celebrating its 150th year, as well.
"Whether it's friendship, tourism, trade, sport, the wildlife, environment - it's all right here in Duluth," he said. "We drink the same water - or in my case beer last night at Fitger's."
It was a packed house as usual in the DECC's Lake Superior Ballroom, where more than 1,200 people gathered over food and drinks for the chamber's 147th annual dinner.
Several local business leaders were recognized for their service to the chamber, including ambassador of the year Rhonda Cory, young professional of the year Jake Kieper and volunteer of the year Lindsay Kern.
Justin Steinbach, who with his wife Sarah Steinbach owns Vista Fleet, was named chair of the chamber's board of directors Thursday night.
"For those of us in business and commerce in the Twin Ports, now is the time to find your voice," he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Steinbach and past chair Carol Valentini each rallied the business community to action against the earned sick and safe time initiative, though they didn't call out the policy by name.
"We cannot afford to homogenize and compromise our business practices," said Valentini, owner of Valentini's Vicino Lago restaurant. "Together, every one of us, large and small businesses, we are the economic engine needed to keep Duluth strong and viable."
