Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) has called on U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to work toward a fair, predictable and mutually beneficial trade relationship that supports the North American heavy equipment industry.
The association sent letters to both leaders, stressing the importance of stable cross-border trade for the construction, agriculture, mining, forestry, municipal and infrastructure sectors.
“AED members serve the construction, agriculture, mining, forestry, municipal and infrastructure sectors and is critical to building strong economies on both sides of the border,” the association said in its letter.
AED represents members across the United States and Canada whose businesses collectively generate more than $100 billion in annual revenue, employ more than 140,000 people and operate more than 7,200 locations.
The association said the strength of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) provides an important foundation for keeping equipment competitive and ensuring customers in both countries can be served effectively.
“Both administrations have a strong desire to build the economy first and foremost,” AED said. “As a North American trade association, we believe that these economic objectives can be met simultaneously by focusing on free and fair trade between the two great nations.”
The organization also highlighted the importance of Canada as a market for U.S. manufacturers, noting that the country is the largest customer for American-made heavy equipment and agricultural equipment.
Call for faster resolution to tariff dispute
AED also wrote to Dominic LeBlanc, Canada’s minister responsible for Canada-U.S. trade, urging Ottawa to use the current momentum in negotiations to reach a swift resolution to the ongoing tariff dispute.
The association said its members play a direct role in supplying and maintaining the equipment required to support major economic activities across North America.
“AED members supply and service the equipment needed to feed, fuel and build North America,” said AED president and CEO Brian McGuire.
He added that the organization would continue advocating in both Washington and Ottawa for free and fair trade between the two countries.
According to McGuire, greater trade certainty is particularly important for equipment dealers and manufacturers as they make investment and growth decisions.
AED’s appeal comes as businesses on both sides of the border continue to seek greater clarity around tariffs and the future of the North American trading relationship.
