ICYMI: On CNN this Morning, Ranking Member Shaheen Discusses Bipartisan Delegation to Ottawa, Reaffirms Strong U.S.-Canada Partnership Among Congress and the American People

WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined CNN from Ottawa, where she is leading a bipartisan Senate delegation to reaffirm U.S.-Canada relations amid trade tensions. During the interview, Ranking Member Shaheen also criticized President Trump’s threats of a 50% tariff on the European Union and the targeting of U.S. companies like Apple. She also voiced concerns about the broader economic consequences of deteriorating relationships with U.S. allies like Canada.

Click HERE to watch Ranking Member Shaheen’s interview.

Key quotes from Ranking Member Shaheen:   

• When asked about President Trump’s proposed tariffs on European allies, Ranking Member Shaheen said: “Well, it's unfortunate that the president is going after our strongest allies, because at a time when we're facing adversaries like China and Russia, when the global situation is so precarious, we need to do everything we can to work together with our allies. It multiplies one of the biggest advantages the United States has—our allies and partners. And, so, to be picking a fight now seems to me not to be in America's interest.”  
  
  
• On her trip to Canada and the importance of cross-border ties, Ranking Member Shaheen said: “Well, New Hampshire has a short border with Canada, but we have the highest percentage of Canadian Americans of any state in the country. Not only do we have family relationships, we have business relationships, tourism [...] very much dependent on our Canadian visitors. And we're really here—we're a delegation from almost all border states. So, we understand how important the relationship is with Canada. We're here to meet the new Prime Minister, members of his Cabinet and to reaffirm the strength of that relationship and our understanding of how important it is and how we want to see it get back on track."
  
  
• On bipartisan concerns about President Trump’s participation in a crypto dinner and the need to focus on economic challenges, Ranking Member Shaheen said: “I think that's a violation of our ethics laws in the United States. I don't think any American thinks it's appropriate for the President of the United States to enrich himself and his family because of his office [...] I think there is bipartisan concern about this. And, also, it's a distraction at a time when we have so many challenges facing the United States, we want our President focused on those challenges. We don't want this kind of issue to sidetrack what we need to do to address the very real economic challenges people are facing. The concern about making sure they can get health care, that their grocery prices are lower, that their energy costs are lower. At a time when we have a lot of countries who the President says want to negotiate trade deals, we need to have a focus on that, we need to get those new deals done and we need to make sure we lower costs for Americans.” 

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