U.S. Ambassador to Canada, David Wilkins

MidlandsBiz:
From politician to diplomat.  How do you like serving your country as a diplomat?

David Wilkins:
Being Ambassador to Canada from the United States is a great privilege. It’s been an incredible two years and Susan and I have enjoyed every moment of it.  It has really exceeded all of our expectations in the sense that it has been more rewarding, more challenging, and more fun than we had ever imagined.  We love being in Canada.  We have traveled extensively from coast to coast to all of the provinces, all of the provincial capitals, and all the territories.  The last time I checked, we had logged over 165,000 miles in the air.  The purpose has been to get out and meet Canadians from all walks of life all over this vast and beautiful country.

MidlandsBiz:
If you were to recommend three areas of the country for a South Carolinian to visit, what would they be?

David Wilkins:
I can’t say there’s one are that I love any more others.  What I have gained from these travels is a great appreciation for the relationship between the two countries.  It’s the greatest trading relationship the world has ever known  Canada is the number one supplier of oil, uranium, and natural gas to the United States.  Above and beyond all that, I’ve learned that the two countries are friends.

Canada is like the United States in that there are distinctly different regions.  We love the rustic nature of the Atlantic provinces.  Obviously Montreal and Quebec City have very much of a European and French flavor and are very unique.  Toronto, like New York, is Canada’s financial center.  Canada’s Midwest is much like ours – flat, farmland.  Then you get out to the Rockies and Calgary and Banff – areas that are fascinating and beautiful.  Then you get to Vancouver and it reminded us of Seattle. 

There are very distinct regions and all of them have great qualities. 

MidlandsBiz:
Relations between the two countries soured after 9/11, the subsequent war in Iraq, and Canada’s decision to not support the war.  Where are we now with US-Canadian relations?

David Wilkins:
When I arrived in Canada I said my goal was to accentuate the positive and to leave the relationship stronger than the day I found it.  We are making tremendous progress.  When I arrived in June of 2005, a softwood lumber dispute was at its peak and very much an irritant.  The U.S. border was closed to Canadian cattle. 

Now the softwood lumber issue has been resolved and the U.S. border is just about fully opened to Canadian cattle.  I give credit to the President of the United States, George Bush and the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, for using their political and leadership skills to find a resolution.

The relationship is on an upward trend.  Polls indicate that Canadians and Americans both feel better about each other than they did a couple of years ago.  I’ve sensed in my travels that the tone is much more positive.  There seems to be more of a shared responsibility for dealing with problems.  The President and the Prime Minister have a very positive relationship.

MidlandsBiz:
South Carolinians may not know of one key issue between the two countries: Arctic sovereignty.  Can you outline the nature of the issue?

David Wilkins:
We have simply agreed to disagree on this one over the past couple of decades.  Right now, we have one position, and it’s been the same for decades; Canada has another position.  It’s not been at the forefront until recently because the famous Northwest Passage through Arctic waters has not been navigable.  Now, with global warming, it’s become possible that over the next couple of years, the Northwest Passage will become navigable. 

It’s the U.S position that this waterway is straight and fair international territory.  It’s not so much the U.S. versus Canada on this one, it’s Canada versus the rest of the world.  Our position is the same as that of the European Union and indeed many other countries.

We’re not disputing Canadian sovereignty; we’re not fighting over fishing rights.  We’re simply saying let’s open the passage to international navigation so that ships can use the Northwest Passage once it does becomes navigable. 

Canada is claiming that it is internal waters and that they have a right to stop that.  Until the waters do become navigable, it is somewhat of a moot point, but it certainly has been discussed more over this past year.

The United States and Canada are both members of the Arctic Council and have done great work together in the areas of research and exploration in the Arctic.  In fact, there are many more areas of cooperation and collaboration regarding the Arctic than there is with this one issue.

I believe that just all issues between two great friends, that eventually the issue will be resolved.  We’ll find a way to work out our differences 

MidlandsBiz:
What opportunities exist for expanded trade relations between Canada and the US?  How can South Carolina benefit from this relationship?

David Wilkins:
Canada is the number one trading partner for South Carolina and 38 other states in the U.S. also have Canada as their number one trading partner.  There was a trade mission last summer to Toronto and Montreal, and also a recent trade mission to Vancouver.

This month, the South Carolina Department of Commerce is formally opening a trade office in Toronto and Secretary of Commerce Joe Taylor will be there and possibly the Governor.

I think the possibilities are endless.  You already have a lot of trade in auto parts.  Michelin, which has its North American headquarters in Greenville, has three plants in Nova Scotia.  Just recently and Canadian company bought a lumber plant in Myrtle Beach.  In addition, you have Canadian tourist who regularly visit Myrtle Beach on an annual basis.

I think we all just need to increase our awareness of the possibilities.  Canada is a great place in which to do business.  They have a great spirit, a well educated workforce, they share a lot of the same values and the same rule of law that we have in South Carolina.

MidlandsBiz:
Do you follow South Carolina politics?

David Wilkins:
I’m very interested in South Carolina politics and my love for the House of Representatives and that institution hasn’t changed one bit.

MidlandsBiz:
Two years removed from the South Carolina political scene, what do you see as positive developments for the future of this state?

David Wilkins:
We will continue to expand the economy and improve the education system. The future is limitless because of the quality of the people, their values, and their work ethic. 

MidlandsBiz:
You spent 25 years in the state legislature.  What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment here in South Carolina?

David Wilkins:
I was privileged to be the first Republican Speaker of the House in the South when I was elected in 1994 and I’m happy that we have been able to continue that trend in South Carolina.

I don’t know that I can point to just one triumph.  I am proud of the strong action and the leadership the House showed in moving the confederate flag – that was important. 

I am proud of our stand against video poker when it was a real menace in the state.

And when almost every other state in the nation was increasing taxes during the recessionary times of the early
2000’s, I’m also proud of our no tax increase policy. I think as a result of that the South Carolina economy is doing well and is positioned for continued growth.

MidlandsBiz:
Is hockey an adequate replacement for college football?

David Wilkins:
Hockey up here is the closest thing to college football in South Carolina in terms of its intensity and the number of people that keep up with it.  I went to 12 Ottawa Senator games including 3 playoff games. I became a big fan.  The excitement in Ottawa during the run to the Stanley Cup final was incredible.

MidlandsBiz:
Speak a little more of the relationship between President Bush and Prime Minister Harper.

David Wilkins:
We are going to work with whoever Canadians elect to run their government, period.  That said, it has been a very strong, positive working relationship between this government and our government over the past 18 months.  I am privileged to have a front row seat to see how it works. I see a very positive development in the increasing number of visits between high ranking officials and cabinet members in both countries.  Officials are meeting with their counterparts and are in continuous dialogue.  Last month, in just one week, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Secretary of State all visited Ottawa.  I think this bodes well for both countries.