by T. Scott
May 16, 2009

With clouds of Michigan First! and America First! sentiment rising from the ravaged economic landscape, it doesn’t hurt to remember that our most important trading relationship in all the world is right next door.

Trade between the U.S. and Canada is reported to support 221,500 Michigan jobs — 7.1 million jobs across all states — and account for some $78 billion in activity just between Michigan and our neighbor to the north (and east). Overall U.S.-Canada trade rings in at $535 billion annually and is the globe’s largest and most comprehensive trading partnership.

Which is why Canada’s ambassador to the United States, Michael Wilson, was on a half dozen video monitors (a Canadian flag and the U.S. Capitol as his backdrop) in a small auditorium on Michigan State University’s campus recently talking about the overriding importance of the Michigan-Canada and U.S.-Canada relationships.

It was soft sell via video conference on a pleasant late-April day, but the sentiment was clear: let’s make sure this unique relationship doesn’t become a casualty of current tough times and creeping protectionism.

“This is a terrific success story,” the ambassador emphasized, and who could argue? Whether you’re talking economics, military support or cultural affinity, the two nations are far more than neighbors. Sure there are disagreements and disputes, but our nations’ bonds are the envy of the world.

Mr. Wilson’s “appearance” on the MSU campus was hosted by the university’s outstanding Canadian Studies Center, the oldest in the United States. Toward the end of his focused comments and answers to wide-ranging audience questions, Mr. Wilson was up-front in explaining his PR efforts. Many in Michigan, and especially in other states, might not be aware of the importance of this incredible international relationship. Or nearly as worrisome, they take it for granted.

Wilson’s office prepares and distributes fact sheets on U.S.-Canada trade — customized for each state he visits in person or pixel. Among the bullets:

Canada is the leading foreign supplier of energy to the U.S. — including oil, petroleum products, natural gas, electricity, uranium.

That’s right. Contrary to popular misconceptions, the U.S. gets far more energy from Canada than it does from the Middle East. Far more. Try out that bit of trivia at your next social gathering.

Which is to say, again, that our relationship with Canada is not the least bit trivial. That’s well worth keeping in mind amidst shouts to head for the bunkers.