Premiers that share a border with Minnesota say Tim Walz understands America91裸聊视频檚 important cultural and trade relationship with Canada, after the governor was chosen as U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris91裸聊视频� running mate on the Democratic presidential ticket.

91裸聊视频淚 was happy as punch,91裸聊视频� Ontario Premier Doug Ford said of Walz91裸聊视频檚 candidacy during a news conference in Mississauga Wednesday.

Walz made his debut with Harris at an energy-filled rally Tuesday evening in Philadelphia, kicking off their battleground state tour.

The premier91裸聊视频檚 comments come just two months after the two met in Ford91裸聊视频檚 office at the Ontario legislature. Ford said they discussed how to strengthen the economic ties between Ontario and Minnesota, including the agriculture and energy sectors.

Walz is known for his 91裸聊视频淢innesota nice91裸聊视频� demeanour and leaders north of the 49th parallel are hoping his track record working with Canada will continue if the Democrats end up back in the White House.

91裸聊视频淲e shared a lot in common when we sat down,91裸聊视频� Ford said.

Ontario and Minnesota do $7.6 billion in two-way trade, Ford said.

Ford said he and Walz 91裸聊视频� who once coached high school football 91裸聊视频� also tossed a ball around in his office before Ford gifted Walz a Canadian Football League football.

91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e going to work well together if we get to that point,91裸聊视频� Ford said.

Walz91裸聊视频檚 state shares a 885-kilometre border with Canada 91裸聊视频� stretching across Ontario and Manitoba.

91裸聊视频淚 think it would be good for Manitoba if somebody in the White House not only could point out our province on a map but also is a person who knows about our hydroelectricity, our (agriculture) industry,91裸聊视频� said Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew Wednesday.

91裸聊视频淭hat91裸聊视频檚 what Gov. Walz could bring to the table.91裸聊视频�

Kinew hasn91裸聊视频檛 tossed a football with Walz, but said there are binding cultural and economic ties between Manitoba and Minnesota.

Manitobans go to Minnesota to watch sports, go shopping and take holidays. There are also significant business connections in manufacturing, agriculture and energy.

91裸聊视频淎t the same time, we have a balancing act,91裸聊视频� Kinew said.

Whichever party wins the election will be in power during a looming review of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement in 2026 91裸聊视频� the first since former president Donald Trump pushed to renegotiate the old North American Free Trade Agreement.

U.S. President Joe Biden91裸聊视频檚 tenure brought more stability for the Canada-U.S. relationship but still enforced policies experts have called protectionist. It91裸聊视频檚 expected Harris, if elected, would follow Biden91裸聊视频檚 example.

In preparation for the trade talks, the Manitoba NDP government has connected with members of both parties, including North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, who is rumoured to be a likely member of Trump91裸聊视频檚 cabinet if he returns to the White House.

North Dakota also shares a long border with Manitoba and Burgum has important insight into the Canada-U.S. relationship, Kinew said.

91裸聊视频淲hichever way the American public decides to vote we are going to be working really hard to identify those key allies who have a familiarity with Manitoba,91裸聊视频� Kinew said.

The new Democratic ticket has been met with a flurry of excitement since Biden stepped back from the nomination amid concerns about his age to endorse Harris.

Walz told a crowd of thousands about the importance of 91裸聊视频渃ommunity91裸聊视频� at an outdoor rally he headlined with Harris Wednesday in Eau Claire, Wis.

The newly-formed Democratic team are decidedly taking a more positive tone, with Harris calling herself and Walz 91裸聊视频渏oyful warriors91裸聊视频� as they began the sprint to November91裸聊视频檚 election.

91裸聊视频淭his idea of caring for a neighbor, a kindness, a hand up when somebody needs it,91裸聊视频� Walz told the crowd when a supporter seemed to receive help after struggling in the direct summer sun.

91裸聊视频淭hat91裸聊视频檚 who we are.91裸聊视频�

Walz91裸聊视频檚 opponent was on a similar path to make inroads in key states this week. Republican vice-presidential nominee JD Vance even ran up to Harris91裸聊视频� plane on an airport tarmac in Wisconsin Wednesday.

91裸聊视频淚 just wanted to check out my future plane,91裸聊视频� Vance joked with reporters.

Vance also responded to the Democrats91裸聊视频� recent labelling of their Republican opponents as 91裸聊视频渨eird.91裸聊视频� He told a crowd at his Eau Claire event that 91裸聊视频渋f those people want to call me weird, I call it a badge of honor.91裸聊视频�

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91裸聊视频� With files from The Associated Press

Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press