Seanna Adcox, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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COLUMBIA, S.C. - The U.S. ambassador to Canada says he believes Canada's political crisis has passed, and Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservative government will remain in power for the near term.

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THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

David Wilkins, Ambassador of the United States of America talks to the media prior to the start of the 4th of July Celebrations at his residence in Ottawa on Friday July 4, 2008.

David Wilkins spoke with The Associated Press this week while preparing to leave Ottawa on Jan. 20 and return home to South Carolina. In the interview, Wilkins talked about reducing tariffs, rumoured changes to NAFTA, helping border passages between the two countries and other accomplishments.

As for the political crisis that resulted in Parliament being suspended until Jan. 26, Wilkins took no personal position.

"It gave everybody enough time for a deep breath," said Wilkins, 62. "I think most people expected that would be the outcome."

Wilkins said the situation has no effect on the United States.

But he said it's important that the Canadian prime minister and the American president have a good relationship, no matter what parties are in power.

Noting that Canadians are concerned about president-elect Barack Obama's comments during the primaries about renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement, Wilkins declined to speculate on what Obama might do.

But he said Harper has said that if the agreement is re-negotiated, he would "put energy back on the table."

The agreement gives the United States guaranteed access to Canada's energy market, which accounts for more than 20 per cent of oil imports, he said.

He said he believes Canada plays an important role in the United States' energy security.

"We're fortunate our best friend and ally is also our most stable and largest supplier of energy," Wilkins said.

Wilkins, who led the South Carolina House for 11 years before becoming ambassador to Canada in June 2005, said he will likely enter a private law practice in his hometown of Greenville.