The trade office promised last year to push Manitoba’s interests in Washington, D.C., has officially opened its doors.
The province announced the opening June 24. The office will “develop relationships with U.S. lawmakers, industry leaders and trade officials to promote strong ties with Manitoba,” according to a release.
It will also make sure that the province is considered when high-level trade deals, such as the soon-to-be-reviewed Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), Premier Wab Kinew noted.
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“Manitoba has what America needs and a trade office in the heart of the Capitol will strengthen trade ties and protect Manitoba jobs as we navigate the economic uncertainty we’re all facing,” Kinew said.
WHY IT MATTERS: Protectionist trade rhetoric, tariff threats and trade wars have made unwelcome waves for Manitoba industry, agriculture included. The province hopes a new Washington trade office will provide a better foundation to navigate that uncertainty.
The office will be led by a new Manitoba trade representative to the U.S. Former reporter and White House correspondent Richard Madan has been chosen for the post.
Madan “has the knowledge, skill set and connections in Washington to speak the language of the Trump administration and be a voice for Manitobans in the White House,” Kinew said.
He has covered Canadian and American politics for more than two decades, the province noted.
“Manitoba should have a voice at the table and I’m ready to use my experience and relationships with Washington insiders to help get the best deal for Manitoba workers and their families,” Madan said in the same release.
“Manitoba and the U.S. have been trading partners for a long time, but the rules of engagement have changed under the Trump administration. I understand the U.S. and I know how to talk to these folks – Republicans and Democrats.”
Madan is currently meeting with local industry, labour representatives, Indigenous leaders and government officials, including cabinet ministers and Manitoba’s advisor on Canada-U.S. relations, Gary Doer, the province said.
Outreach in a time of trade tension
The province announced their new trade office in early December last year, as Canada raced to prepare for tariffs that U.S. President Donald Trump, then still president-elect, had threatened to bring in following his January inauguration. The months following Trump’s electoral win in November 2024 saw a long list of emergency trade trips from both politicians an industry among other moves meant to brace Canadian industry against a potentially damaging trade war.
The first half of 2025 has seen significant back and forth when it comes to tariffs and U.S.-Canada trade relations.
Back in January, during an appearance at Manitoba Ag Days 2025, Kinew said they expected the office to open in the following few months, pending details such as physical location.
Manitoba’s 2025 budget set aside $800,000 for the Washington office. That covers office space, salaries and administrative support.
Welcome move for agriculture
The Manitoba Pork Council welcomed Madan’s appointment. General manager Cam Dahl praised the government’s initiative in a separate June 24 release.
The industry group “look(s) forward to working closely with Mr. Madan in his new role and in strategic outreach across the United States,” Dahl said.
“In addition to connecting with lawmakers and leaders in Washington, our hope is that this office will act as a hub for strategic outreach to key states that are economically important to Manitoba, like Iowa, Minnesota, and others.”
Manitoba has a strong trading relationship with many states, the province has noted several times in the last seven months. The June 24 release noted the province’s trade with states like Illinois, Minnesota, Georgia, Tennessee and Texas.
The pork council said it also looks forward to working with other provinces, including Alberta and Saskatchewan, to advocate for shared agricultural and food trade goals with the United States.
Madan’s role begins immediately.
