Press Release

Welch Travels to Ottawa to Talk Trump’s Tariffs Welch Will Host Roundtable Wednesday with Impacted Vermont Businesses at Orvis Rod Shop and Factory 

May 27, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C.U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) traveled to Ottawa, Canada late last week to meet with Canadian dignitaries, including Prime Minister Mark Carney, Foreign Minister Anita Anand, Minister of National Defense David McGuinty, Minister of Industry Mélanie Joly, the Business Council of Canada, and other leading Canadian companies and business groups. The Senators underscored bipartisan support for a U.S.-Canada partnership and reiterated their commitment to a strong trading relationship between the United States and Canada. The U.S. policymakers released the following joint statement at the conclusion of their visit to Ottawa:  

“We were glad to participate in a bipartisan delegation to Canada and meet with Prime Minister Carney, members of his new cabinet and Canadian business leaders. Our engagements in Ottawa served as an important reminder of the deep economic, security and cultural ties that bind our two nations. We held open and honest discussions on issues ranging from tariffs and trade to increasing defense spending and strengthening military cooperation through NATO, as well as continuing support for Ukraine. These conversations are emblematic of the historically constructive relationship the United States has had, and must continue to have, with our northern neighbor. The U.S.-Canada relationship has made us all safer and more prosperous, protecting our continent from foreign threats and transforming North America into a hub of global trade, innovation and investment. The trip has reaffirmed our joint desire to move past current tensions in the bilateral relationship and lay the groundwork for a stronger partnership moving forward,” said Shaheen, Welch, Cramer, Klobuchar, and Kaine

View photos below: 

Photo Credit: U.S. Embassy Ottawa 
Photo Credit: U.S. Embassy Ottawa 
Photo Credit: The Office of the Prime Minister of Canada, Lars Hagberg 

On Wednesday, Senator Welch will convene Vermont businesses and manufacturers at the Orvis Rod Shop & Factory in Manchester to discuss President Trump’s tariffs and trade war. Senator Welch has hosted roundtables in Stowe, Newport,St. Albans, and virtually to hear concerns and first-hand stories from Vermont and Canadian leaders impacted by the trade war.   

LOGISTICS:  
Who: Senator Peter Welch; Vermont businesses and manufacturers  
Date: Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at 1:00 PM  
Location: Orvis Rod Shop & Factory: 4182 Main St, Manchester, VT 05254  
(parking in back of lot) 
Media Note: Press should RSVP to Elisabeth_St.Onge@welch.senate.gov  

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