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British Columbia and the USA

The United States is the world’s largest economy and the third largest country by population. It shares the world’s longest international border with Canada. The U.S offers a business-friendly environment, underpinned by a stable democracy, an established regulatory policy structure, entrepreneurial dynamism, innovation, and high research and development spending.

United States at a Glance

Monetary figures are in USD

Opportunity for Foreign Investors and B.C. Exporters

Aerospace

The United States is one of the world’s biggest markets for aerospace, defense, and
space. Well-established U.S. companies, as well as newer ones, are investing in ambitious initiatives such as the manufacturing of reusable rockets, deploying AI-powered satellites and sending humans back to the moon. There are opportunities for firms offering technology that can decarbonize air travel, which can benefit B.C. companies that operate in both the aerospace and cleantech/renewable energy sectors.

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. The U.S. agribusiness industry is increasingly looking to new technologies, crop science and advanced agricultural practices to improve productivity.

Clean Energy

Opportunities exist in innovative technologies that can reduce costs or enhance efficiency in the petrochemical, LNG, and renewable energy industries in Texas and other southern states. Hydrogen is an opportunity for B.C., specifically in production and fuel cell storage,
exporting renewable and low-carbon hydrogen, and research and development
partnerships. The Inflation Reduction Act will accelerate investment into low carbon
technology creating opportunities for the hydrogen sector.

Cleantech

The U.S. is the largest global market for Cleantech, presenting opportunities related to
electric vehicles and electrification, watertech, air pollution, waste management and
construction and building operations.

Entertainment and Digital Media

The media and entertainment industry has seen continued changes from technological progress, evolving generational behaviors and ongoing impacts from the global pandemic. Opportunities exist for B.C. FDI attraction in virtual production, VFX, VR/AR/Metaverse, and gaming.

Forestry

The U.S. is B.C.’s largest market for lumber and value-added wood products. 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.

ICT

The United States is the largest IT market in the world by market share and the largest
centre of global IT innovation, with demand for high-value and complex solutions. There are opportunities for B.C. businesses to enter emerging markets such as cloud computing, big data, wireless/IoT, ecommerce, web3, smart cities, AI/ML, SaaS, cybersecurity, autonomous driving, and electrification.

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. B.C. companies can leverage trends and demand in e-health, remote care, personalized medicine, mobile health apps, portable diagnostics and 3D printing.

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. Opportunities for B.C. companies exist in exporting of yachts, rowing boats and canoes, along with partnerships and collaboration on trade and investment between the province and Washington state.

Critical Minerals

B.C. firms exporting critical minerals vital for the advanced manufacturing and tech sectors will find ample opportunities in the U.S. Mining companies offering solutions in the green mining and clean tech space will find partners in major U.S. mining companies which are facing increasing pressure to reduce their impact on the environment. This will benefit B.C. firms offering mining tech, modern mining equipment, and mining consulting services particularly in sustainable exploration practices.

U.S. Top Industries (2018-2023)

Industries for Outward Investment

Investment Opportunities in Canada: Communications

Investment Opportunities in Canada: Software & IT Services

Investment Opportunities in Canada: Coal, Oil & Gas

_{Source: FDI Markets}

Import Industries
(by value)

Investment Opportunities in Canada: Machinery

Investment Opportunities in Canada - Electrical Machinery Equipment

Investment Opportunities in Canada: Vehicles & Parts

_{Source: International Trade Centre}

Fastest Growing Import Opportunities

Investment Opportunities in Canada: Wood Products

Investment Opportunities in Canada: Iron & Steel

Investment Opportunities in Canada: Toys, Games & Sports

_{Source: International Trade Centre}

BC Export Industries to Market

Investment Opportunities in Canada: Mineral Fuels & Oils

Investment Opportunities in Canada: Zinc

_{Source: BC Stats, data sourced from Statistics Canada}

Trade & Investment Resources

For B.C. Businesses

For International Businesses

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

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 San Francisco and Silicon Valley area, Seattle, Los Angeles, Texas, and the Boston and New York area.

Our team has developed extensive networks in the United Sates, and helps businesses capitalize on shared opportunities, especially in the growing sectors of Aerospace, Digital Entertainment & Interactive Media, Clean Tech, Clean Energy, Information and Communications Technology, Life Sciences, Mining, Natural Gas, Ocean and Marine, Wood and Forestry.

Contact our Trade and Investment Representatives. Our team welcomes your inquiries:

Will Fox
Managing Director

Chris King
Senior Director, East Coast

Trade & Investment Representative - Caryn King

Caryn King
Program Assistant

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 San Francisco and Silicon Valley area, Seattle, Los Angeles, Texas, and the Boston and New York area.

Our team has developed extensive networks in the United Sates, and helps businesses capitalize on shared opportunities, especially in the growing sectors of Aerospace, Digital Entertainment & Interactive Media, Clean Tech, Clean Energy, Information and Communications Technology, Life Sciences, Mining, Natural Gas, Ocean and Marine, Wood and Forestry.

Contact our Trade and Investment Representatives. Our team welcomes your inquiries:

Will Fox
Managing Director

Alana Wagner Peralez
Senior Director, Pacific Southwest

Cheryl Rogers
Director, Life Sciences

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 San Francisco and Silicon Valley area, Seattle, Los Angeles, Texas, and the Boston and New York area.

Our team has developed extensive networks in the United Sates, and helps businesses capitalize on shared opportunities, especially in the growing sectors of Aerospace, Digital Entertainment & Interactive Media, Clean Tech, Clean Energy, Information and Communications Technology, Life Sciences, Mining, Natural Gas, Ocean and Marine, Wood and Forestry.

Contact our Trade and Investment Representatives. Our team welcomes your inquiries:

Will Fox
Managing Director

Mareese Keane
Director, San Francisco/Silicon Valley

Marilyn Wright
Agrifood Trade Specialist

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 San Francisco and Silicon Valley area, Seattle, Los Angeles, Texas, and the Boston and New York area.

Our team has developed extensive networks in the United Sates, and helps businesses capitalize on shared opportunities, especially in the growing sectors of Aerospace, Digital Entertainment & Interactive Media, Clean Tech, Clean Energy, Information and Communications Technology, Life Sciences, Mining, Natural Gas, Ocean and Marine, Wood and Forestry.

Contact our Trade and Investment Representatives. Our team welcomes your inquiries.

Will Fox
Managing Director

Nicolas Santo
Director, Pacific Northwest

Nicole Lauzon
Director, Natural Resources

British Columbia and the USA

Trade & Investment Highlights

United States at a Glance

Opportunity for Foreign Investors and B.C. Exporters