New Brunswick premier to head trade mission in Belgium, France

New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt speaks with reporters before the First Ministers Meeting in Ottawa, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt will be heading a trade missing to Belgium and France with a goal of diversifying trade and promoting more port projects in the province.

The premier will be joined by Opportunities NB and Intergovernmental Affairs, as well as CEOs of Port Saint John and Port Belledune.

“In the face of global uncertainty and unlawful tariffs from the United States, it is more important than ever that we focus on market diversification so that our New Brunswick businesses can thrive,” said Holt in the Friday news release.

“This trade mission will give us the chance to share what we already know: New Brunswick is a great place to do business. We’ve got the natural resources and the human resources, and now we need the partners and investment.”

The delegation is set to begin in Belgium with the aim of strengthening port-to-port co-operation between Antwerp-Bruges, Port Saint John and the Port of Belledune.

Belgian and New Brunswick companies will discuss logistics, energy, marine services, innovation and clean tech, according to a news release Friday. Delegates will also meet with Canada’s ambassador to Belgium, Nicholas Brousseau.

While in France, the delegation will work on efforts to find new trade and investment partners through an “economic roundtable” which will include several French companies. The delegation will also meet with Crédit Agricole, Eurenco, Nalagx as well as CMA CGM Group.

Holt is also set to meet with the secretary general of the International Organization of La Francophonie, Louise Mushikiwabo, as well as members of the Association interparlementaire France-Canada, and Canada’s newly names ambassador to France, Nathalie Drouin.

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