British Columbia and the USA
The United States is the world’s largest economy and the world’s third largest country by population. Located in close geographic proximity to Canada and British Columbia, the United States was B.C.’s primary export destination in 2021. Canada and the Unites States maintain a well-developed trade and investment relationship, with an underlying foundation supported by the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
Trade & Investment Highlights
- Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement – Effective in 2020, CUSMA replaced NAFTA as North America’s free trade agreement, facilitating trade activities between these three countries.
- The United States is home to a well-educated and well-trained workforce with an above average secondary education completion rate.
- The U.S. offers a business-friendly environment, underpinned by a stable democracy, regulatory policy and opened, entrepreneurial dynamism, innovation and high R&D spending.
United States at a Glance
Monetary figures are in USD
Opportunity for Foreign Investors and B.C. Exporters
Aerospace
Well-established U.S. companies, as well as newer ones, are investing in ambitious projects such as the manufacturing of reusable rockets, deploying AI-powered satellites and sending humans back to the moon. From B.C.’s perspective, this creates many trade and investment opportunities.
Agrifood & Agritech
To meet its massive consumer demand, the U.S. heavily relies on agrifood imports. Transportation issues caused by COVID-19 have shifted markets and presented B.C. with the opportunity to provide products to the U.S. West Coast.
Cleantech
As the largest global market for cleantech, the United States presents several opportunities related to electric vehicles and electrification, watertech, air pollution, waste management and construction and building operations.
Forestry
Mass timber products are becoming increasingly popular in the U.S. as builders seek alternatives to regular building operations due to increased costs and gaps in resource availability. This creates space for the involvement of B.C.’s high-growth mass timber sector.
ICT
The U.S. represents one third of the global tech market. There are opportunities for B.C. businesses to enter emerging markets such as web3, smart cities, artificial intelligence/machine learning, Software as a Service, cybersecurity, autonomous driving and electrification.
Industrial Marine
Over the next ten years, the U.S. marine industry is expected to grow exponentially. This growth is driven by concerns surrounding climate change and initiatives like the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Being close to the U.S. may present opportunities in green marine technology development and innovation.
Life Sciences
United States life sciences companies are entering fields that align well with the work being done by B.C. companies. U.S. life sciences companies are transitioning into niche areas by adopting digital transformation, artificial intelligence, machine learning and natural language processing.
U.S. Top Industries (2017-2021)
Trade & Investment Resources
For B.C. Businesses
For International Businesses
News and Stories
How We Help
- Assist in commercial location identification and site selection.
- Provide information on transportation infrastructure and logistics gateways.
- Offer introductions to sector associations, industries and provide cluster insight.
- Facilitate understanding and solutions for talent, skilled workforce and labour mobility
- Facilitate engagement with professional advisors on legal, compliance and tax matters
- Help navigating and offering referrals within government agencies on First Nations, business and regulatory processes.
- Identify high potential investment opportunities and offer industry insight.
- Introductions to sector associations and local industry contacts.
- Introductions to companies seeking investments to expand.
- Provide knowledge on local innovation hubs and connections to entrepreneurial opportunities.
- Introductions to local venture capital networks.
- Assist in navigating government export programs and financial supports.
- Advice and coaching in international expansion and exporter development.
- Support Team BC missions and trade events.
- Match buyers and sellers in local and foreign markets.
- Provide insight on trade agreements and barriers.
- Introductions to trade representatives in foreign markets.
- Market entry assistance in international markets.
Trade & Investment Offices in United States
Boston
British Columbia and the United States enjoy long-standing relationships and extensive business connections. The British Columbia Trade and Investment offices are located in the San Francisco and Silicon Valley area, Seattle, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and the Boston and New York area.
Our team has developed extensive networks in the United States, and helps businesses capitalize on shared opportunities, especially in the growing sectors of clean technologies, digital media, agrifoods, life sciences, information and communication technologies.
Boston Office:
501 Boylston St
Boston, MA
02116, United States
Contact our Trade and Investment Representatives. Our team welcomes your inquiries:
Managing Director
– Clean tech and green energy
– Technology
Director, East Coast
– Digital media
– Life Sciences
– Investments
Based in: Boston
British Columbia Trade and Investment Representative office services in the United States are provided by Fox Group International.
Connect With Our International Network
Our Trade and Investment Representatives can help you establish the right connections, participate in events and tradeshows, explore programs and initiatives, and more.
Los Angeles
British Columbia and the United States enjoy long-standing relationships and extensive business connections. The British Columbia Trade and Investment offices are located in the San Francisco and Silicon Valley area, Seattle, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and the Boston and New York area.
Our team has developed extensive networks in the United States, and helps businesses capitalize on shared opportunities, especially in the growing sectors of clean technologies, digital media, agrifoods, life sciences, information and communication technologies.
Los Angeles Office:
10250 Constellation Blvd, Ste 100
Los Angeles, CA
90067, United States
Contact our Trade and Investment Representatives. Our team welcomes your inquiries:
Managing Director
– Clean tech and green energy
– Technology
Director, Pacific Southwest
– Digital media
– Life Sciences
– Technology
Based in: Los Angeles
British Columbia Trade and Investment Representative office services in the United States are provided by Fox Group International.
Connect With Our International Network
Our Trade and Investment Representatives can help you establish the right connections, participate in events and tradeshows, explore programs and initiatives, and more.
San Francisco
British Columbia and the United States enjoy long-standing relationships and extensive business connections. The British Columbia Trade and Investment offices are located in the San Francisco and Silicon Valley area, Seattle, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and the Boston and New York area.
Our team has developed extensive networks in the United States, and helps businesses capitalize on shared opportunities, especially in the growing sectors of clean technologies, digital media, agrifoods, life sciences, information and communication technologies.
San Francisco Office:
Our area office is conveniently located in San Francisco’s Financial District.
600 California St,
San Francisco, CA
94108, United States
Contact our Trade and Investment Representatives. Our team welcomes your inquiries:
Managing Director
– Clean tech and green energy
– Technology
Director, San Francisco
Program Officer
– Agrifood
Based in: San Francisco
British Columbia Trade and Investment Representative office services in the United States are provided by Fox Group International.
Connect With Our International Network
Our Trade and Investment Representatives can help you establish the right connections, participate in events and tradeshows, explore programs and initiatives, and more.
Seattle
British Columbia and the United States enjoy long-standing relationships and extensive business connections. The British Columbia Trade and Investment offices are located in the San Francisco and Silicon Valley area, Seattle, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and the Boston and New York area.
Our team has developed extensive networks in the United States, and helps businesses capitalize on shared opportunities, especially in the growing sectors of clean technologies, digital media, agrifoods, life sciences, information and communication technologies.
Seattle Office:
1201 3rd Ave
Seattle, WA
98101, United States
Contact our Trade and Investment Representatives. Our team welcomes your inquiries
Managing Director
– Clean tech and green energy
– Technology
Director, Pacific Northwest
Based in: Seattle
Director, Natural Resources, USA
– Natural Resources
British Columbia Trade and Investment Representative office services in the United States are provided by Fox Group International.
Connect With Our International Network
Our Trade and Investment Representatives can help you establish the right connections, participate in events and tradeshows, explore programs and initiatives, and more.
Connect With Our International Network
Our Trade and Investment Representatives can help you establish the right connections, participate in events and tradeshows, explore programs and initiatives, and more.