Premier Doug Ford released the following statement today on the announcement of USMCA:
“We want to make Ontario open for business. That’s why, from day one, we have offered our full support to our federal partner throughout the USMCA negotiation process to make sure a deal got done.
We also need to create and protect good jobs here in Ontario. While I’m optimistic that the USMCA agreement announced today will create continued opportunities, I remain concerned about the impact of Canada’s reported concessions on Class 7 milk and access to Ontario’s dairy market could have on our agriculture sector. We also remain concerned about the remaining steel and aluminum tariffs.
Our government will be speaking directly with industry representatives from Ontario’s steel, aluminum, auto and agriculture sectors to determine the impacts of this deal.
During the negotiations, we made it clear that any deal must keep Ontario’s steel, aluminum, auto and agriculture industries top of mind. Our government will continue to vigorously defend and advance Ontario’s economic interests at home and abroad.
Both Ontario and our partners to the south succeed when we can trade easily. Ontario does $389 billion worth of trade per year with the U.S. We are the number one trading partner for 19 states, and number two for nine others. It is absolutely critical for both Ontario and our friends south of the border that the new USMCA arrangement helps us build on that success.
Our government will continue to vigorously defend and advance Ontario’s economic interests. We will make sure that we protect our economy, our jobs, and the people of Ontario.”