Canada brings some on-the-ground diplomacy to the Iowa State Fair
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Des Moines, Iowa (Rural Roots Canada) – Canada put in an appearance at one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the United States: the Iowa State Fair.
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Health MacDonald, along with Canada’s ambassador to the United States, Mark Wiseman, met with government officials, agricultural leaders and industry stakeholders to reinforce the importance of the Canada-U.S. trading relationship, while reinforcing Canada’s position as a reliable trading partner.
Conversations about shared priorities and the economic value of the complementary agri-food relationship between the two countries were among the discussions. MacDonald met with Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Glenn (G.T) Thompson, Chairman of the House of Representatives Agriculture Committee, Brent Johnson, President of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, and Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig to further conversations about the deeply integrated partnership between the state and Canada.
Read more: Canada, China Reach ‘Landmark’ Agri-Trade Agreement
He also participated in roundtable discussions with stakeholders in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors to emphasize the role Canada plays in U.S. supply chains as a reliable source of high-quality and affordable agricultural products
“I’ve seen firsthand just how strong our partnership with the United States truly is, and it’s vitally important that we continue working together as nations and as close friends,” said MacDonald in a statement.
MacDonald also attended the Governor’s Charity Steer Show and a celebrity pork grilling event.
Canada is the second agriculture and agri-food export market for Iowa. In 2025, bilateral agriculture, agri-food and seafood trade between Canada and Iowa was $3 billion.
Along with MacDonald, representatives from Alberta and Quebec joined the Canadian delegation, just ahead of the deadline for a new round of U.S. tariffs. That deadline has since been extended.
On-the-ground diplomacy has been a tactic used by Canada as lengthy trade discussions continue between the two countries.
Photo credit: Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada Facebook page
The post Canada brings some on-the-ground diplomacy to the Iowa State Fair first appeared on Rural Roots Canada.