Arizona export council launches North American forum with Canadian ambassador

More than 300 leaders met in Phoenix on June 23 for the inaugural North American Exceptionalism Forum, where Arizona officials and Canada's ambassador to the U.S. discussed how the three countries can deepen cooperation on trade, security and key industries. The forum came as Canada prepared to open a new consulate in Phoenix on June 24.

Why it matters: - The forum framed North America’s competitiveness as a regional issue, not just a trade issue. - Leaders discussed how Canada, the U.S. and Mexico can coordinate on critical minerals, energy, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, aerospace and defense, and trusted supply chains. - The event underscored Arizona’s growing role in semiconductor manufacturing, advanced technologies, mining, aerospace and defense, international investment and cross-border trade.

What happened: - More than 300 senior business, government, military, academic and community leaders gathered at the Phoenix Art Museum on June 23. - The Arizona District Export Council convened the inaugural North American Exceptionalism Forum. - Canada's Ambassador to the United States, Mark D. Wiseman, was the featured speaker. - The invitation-only forum launched a strategic dialogue on how North America can remain the world’s most competitive, resilient, secure, innovative and prosperous economic region.

The details: - The discussion focused on moving beyond traditional trade policy to strengthen long-term competitiveness. - Participants examined the overlap between trade policy, industrial strategy, supply-chain resilience and national security. - The forum centered on deeper regional cooperation in sectors seen as strategically important. - Wiseman was appointed Canada’s ambassador to the U.S. in February 2026. - Wiseman drew on his background in global finance, investment management and public service to address North American cooperation. - The forum came one day before Canada officially opened a new consulate in Phoenix on June 24. - The new consulate reflects Arizona’s growing economic and strategic importance in the Canada–U.S. relationship. - Arizona District Export Council Chair Carol Colombo said the current geopolitical environment requires the three countries to align more strategically to strengthen innovation, national security, supply-chain resilience and long-term competitiveness. - Colombo said the forum was created to start a strategic conversation about the region’s future. - AzDEC describes itself as Arizona’s voice for international trade and says it works with the U.S. Commercial Service to help Arizona businesses expand exports and compete globally. - AzDEC also says it advocates for policies that strengthen Arizona’s international competitiveness and convenes dialogue on issues shaping the state’s role in the global economy. - AzDEC says it uses education, leadership, public-private collaboration and trade advocacy to strengthen Arizona’s position in international commerce, investment and global economic engagement. - AzDEC lists social media presence on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Between the lines: - The forum’s timing suggests a broader effort to align state-level diplomacy with cross-border economic strategy. - The focus on security, supply chains and industrial policy shows how North American cooperation is being discussed as a resilience and national security issue as much as a growth issue. - Arizona’s semiconductor and advanced manufacturing base makes the state a practical test case for the regional agenda described at the event.

What's next: - The Phoenix forum appears designed to continue as a strategic platform for North American policy discussions. - The new Canadian consulate in Phoenix is likely to deepen Canada-Arizona ties and support more cross-border engagement. - Future dialogue may keep emphasizing regional coordination in industries tied to competitiveness and security.

The bottom line: - Arizona is positioning itself as a hub for a broader North American strategy built around trade, innovation, security and supply-chain resilience.