The Republican leaders of the Wyoming Legislature touted the state’s relationship with Canada and called for that partnership to continue Wednesday, even as President Donald Trump targets the longstanding trading partner and ally with tariffs and other threats.
Senate President Bo Biteman, R-Ranchester, and Speaker of the House Chip Neiman, R-Hulett, both signed a resolution affirming the importance of Canada as a purchaser of Wyoming’s exports, during a visit from a Canadian diplomat to the statehouse.
The resolution noted Wyoming’s “unbounded friendship and unlimited admiration for the people of Canada.” As an informal resolution, the message to Canada did not require any sort of vote.
The Legislature honors its trading relationships with Canada nearly every year, Biteman told WyoFile. But if a year ago the resolution would have been rote mutual flattery, it carried more significance this year, as Trump deepens his antagonism with Canada’s leaders and hangs steep tariffs over their heads. Besides the tariff threats, Trump has suggested, whether in jest or not, that the United States could annex its northern neighbor and make it another state.
“Despite all the turbulent winds that are blowing at the federal level with tariffs and the immigration and the border and all that, here in Wyoming you guys are our brothers and sisters,” Biteman told the Canadian consul, Stephen Green, on the Senate floor after handing him the resolution. “We love you and we’ll always have your back and we look forward to maintaining this wonderful relationship.”
In an interview with WyoFile, Biteman dismissed any suggestion that the resolution was a rebuke of Trump’s tough talk on tariffs.
“We’re just supporting our friendship with Canada,” he said. “I’m not trying to undermine President Trump and his negotiating position. I understand that he is in the middle of negotiations, and we need to let him cook because he’s good at this.”
Suggesting Trump was a skilled negotiator, Biteman said he hoped tensions with Canada would soon resolve and that tariffs, at least for any extended period, would be avoided. “Let him cook” was a bit of Gen Z slang on display from the Senate president — the saying refers to staying out of someone’s way while they engage in something they are skilled at.
But the document itself offers reasons Wyomingites could look askance at the president’s tariff fight and fear any prolonged disruption of trade with Canada. Tariffs would cut both ways on Wyoming, as Canada has promised to level retaliatory tariffs on imports from the United States. The resolution states Canada is the biggest buyer of Wyoming exports, spending around $430 million a year on Wyoming goods and sources. When Wyoming’s imports from the nation are incorporated, the number in annual trade reaches $1 billion. There are 47 Canadian-owned companies operating in Wyoming, employing 750 people — not an insignificant sum for Wyoming’s small towns.
The resolution also describes a number of partnerships in energy production, including the Express Pipeline that carries crude oil from the Canadian province of Alberta to Casper.
Wyoming’s heavy reliance on Canada to buy its products means Trump’s proposed 25% tariffs on exports from the country could have big implications for the Equality State. The implementation of those tariffs is paused while the two countries negotiate. But Trump this week threatened a fresh set of 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum from other nations including Canada. The tariffs on steel would go on top of the broad 25% tariffs for a 50% tariff on Canadian steel, according to federal officials cited by Reuters.
According to the resolution, Wyoming imports more goods from Canada than it sells, with steel among them. Other imports key to Wyoming’s industries include railcars and fertilizer, steel and heating and cooling equipment.
Canadian Consulate Green, who interfaces with Rocky Mountain states from the country’s consulate in Denver, was on hand to receive the resolution. In a speech, he asked Wyoming lawmakers to remember the long trading relationship and maintain economic, cultural and security ties. “Let us keep developing our energy and critical mineral industries together so that we do not have to rely on hostile states for our prosperity and our security,” Green said.
His remarks came in a week where Trump administration officials have reportedly signaled their interest in a broad re-opening of economic ties with Russia, long considered a U.S. foe.
In the House, Neiman made limited remarks. He thanked Green for being there and said lawmakers “wish (him) the best as he continues to strengthen and grow Wyoming’s trade with Canada.”
Before seeing the consulate out of the Senate, Biteman, a native of the border state of Michigan and a consummate hockey fan, did bring up one international rivalry to Green, though it had little to do with trade. Canada and the United States have been squaring off in the Four Nations Face Off, an international hockey tournament that also includes the hockey meccas of Finland and Sweden.
Canada and the U.S. will play the championship match Thursday night.
“One last thing, don’t hold it against us when team USA wins tomorrow night,” Biteman said jovially.
Hard feelings over Trump’s remarks have penetrated that sporting event, however. Canadian fans booed during a rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” during the two countries’ first matchup on Saturday. The booing was followed by three fights on the ice between Canadian and American players, all before the game hit the two-minute mark.
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