Premier Wab Kinew said Tuesday his government plans to open a permanent office in Washington to strengthen its trade relationship with the U.S., as he delivered his second state of the province address.

Premier Wab Kinew announced the move Tuesday at his State of the Province address, and said it'll be a permanent presence in the U.S. capital.

The Manitoba government is planning to open a trade office in Washington, D.C., in the new year to deal with threatened United States tariffs and promote investment opportunities in provincial sectors such as mining and aerospace.