New Jersey Governor Chris Christie Planning Trip To Canada

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Gov. Chris Christie is planning a trip to Canada next month, expanding his foreign credentials and building his policy platform as he mulls a run for president in 2016.

Christie will travel to Calgary, Ottawa and Toronto during his two-day visit on December 4-5, his office announced Monday. He’ll be joined by a delegation of business and energy leaders.

The trip’s official purpose is to promote trade and business ties between New Jersey and Canada — the state’s largest trading partner — with a focus on energy issues.

It will also give Christie the chance to develop what could become a central platform of his presidential campaign if he chooses to run: a focus on deepening the relationship between the U.S., Mexico and Canada and developing what he has dubbed a “North American energy renaissance” that would bolster local economies and reduce dependence on foreign oil.

Besides delivering a major speech on the topic in Calgary, Christie also will meet with business leaders and government officials, including Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

The official trip is Christie’s third as governor. He traveled to Israel during his first term and to Mexico in September.

Trade between New Jersey and Canada totals nearly $16 billion a year, and supports more than 243,000 jobs, according to the governor’s office.

(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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